As the days get shorter and the nights become colder, the temptation to finally cave in and switch on the heating is becoming stronger by the day. But with the current cost of living crisis being at the forefront of all our minds, before you succumb to the chillier nights, why not consider some effective, cheaper alternatives to keep you and your family warm this winter?
Take a look at these three budget buys that can help keep you warm during winter, without breaking the bank!
Why heat the whole home when you can keep yourself toasty quicker, at a fraction of the cost? Home Bargains have come through at the perfect moment with their affordable, adjustable desktop heater, and we think it will be a game changer during the coming winter months!
Small, compact and quiet, you can heat your room efficiently, all without breaking the bank. We think this one will be a lifesaver for those working from home, who want to keep themselves warm without heating the entire home. It comes with an adjustable thermostat and is super simple to use. Just plug it in and start reaping the benefits in a few minutes (no more waiting for your central heating to kick in)!
At the time of writing, the heater is out of stock online – but pop down to your closest Home Bargains to see if you can pick it up in-store. Alternatively, Dunelm currently has a similar desktop heater at a slightly higher price of £14 (costing approximately 68p per hour to run).
How much will it set you back? £9.99
How much does it cost to run? Approx. 15p per hour
Electric blankets have been around for years, but typically they are placed above the mattress and reserved for keeping you cosy once you get into bed. If you’re looking for a slightly more portable option to keep yourself warm whatever time of day it is, the Silent Night heated throw is a great way to do just that! With three different heat settings, this fluffy throw heats up in minutes and is cheap to run too, and Asda are currently selling it at a discounted price!
At the time of writing, the heater is out of stock online – but you can enter your postcode here to check availability in an ASDA store near you. Alternatively, Amazon sells a range of different heated throws from as little as £19.99.
How much will it set you back? £40
How much does it cost to run? Approx. 24p to run for 1 hour a day, 7 days a week (that’s just 3.43p per hour!)
Last but by no means least is an item that’s often overlooked but can be used to warm you, or even ensure your bed is toasty in advance – at hardly any cost at all! Microwavable heat bags come in all shapes and sizes and are a safe solution for all the family (provided you don’t overheat them). Whether it’s a cute cuddly creature for the kids or a relaxing lavender-scented wheat bag for you, you can start benefiting from the cosy warmth in as little as one minute and use it over and over again!
How much will it set you back? Prices start from as little as £4!
How much does it cost to run? Approx. 1p per hour (60 seconds in the microwave)
Looking for other ways to cut costs over the coming months? Check out 5 other ways you can save money on your household bills.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure that content is correct at the time of publication. Please note that information published on this website does not constitute financial advice, and we aren’t responsible for the content of any external sites.
Fiona is a personal finance writer with over 7 years’ experience writing for a broad range of industries before joining Ocean in 2021. She uses her wealth of experience to turn the overwhelming aspects of finance into articles that are easy to understand.
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