Money Saving Expert recommended some cheap ways to stay warm at home (Image: Getty)
Financial experts have revealed some of the cheapest methods for staying safe this winter, with some costing less than one pence per hour. Following yet another rise in energy prices at the start of this year, they encouraged people to consider some alternative measures for avoiding the cold.
According to (MSE), a website founded by Martin Lewis, turning on the heating has become “even more unaffordable” for many Brits following a 1.2 percent rise in prices on January 1. As such, one of their tips included “heating the human not the home”.
Commenting on the advice Martin Lewis said: “This is a guide I really wish we needn’t be publishing. The reason I asked Sarah and the team to put this together is due to my overflowing email bag of desperation from people who can’t afford their energy bills.
“So don’t see this as an ‘MSE or Martin says you should do this’. It’s more that we’re trying to help provide some options and information for those that may need to drastically cut down on energy usage due to financial desperation and some help for others who may want to do it out of a commitment to green issues.”
With this in mind, MSE listed the cheapest products currently available to help keep you warm such as electric blankets, heat pads, and footwarmers. The website explained: “There are lots of options out there – we can’t vouch for which will keep you warmest, but we have tried to work out which is cheapest to run. Generally we found it was those which could be charged via USB, but these items tend to be smaller, and may only warm part of your body (such as hands or feet).
According to MSE, hot water bottles cost around 4p an hour to use (Image: Getty)
“It’s also worth factoring in the initial cost, if you don’t already own one of the items below. We’ve given a rough price of the cheapest options we found (at Amazon*, Dunelm, Superdrug and so on).
“Of course, the cheapest option may not be the best quality. Do your own research, read reviews before buying and check safety advice before using any of the options below.”
Firstly they recommended four items that charge by being plugged into a USB cable. These include USB gloves, which cost £10 to buy. They cost less than 1p to run per hour, or 4p per week based on charging five hours a day.
Heated insoles to go into your shoes or slippers also cost £10 up front and the same amount to run. Similarly USB hand warmers also cost less than 1p per hour and 4p per week but are £15 to purchase.
You can also buy an electric gilet for £50 (including a battery pack), which costs less than 1p an hour and 4p per week. They then considered some more traditional heated products.
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A microwaveable wheat bag costs around £4 to buy. Based on needing to microwave it for 60 seconds it costs less than 1p per hour or 14p per week. However, this will only stay warm for about 20 to 40 minutes.
The average hot water bottle (1.5 litre) costs around £5.50 and around 4p for one hour or 70p for the week – based on being used twice a day. They also advocated for reusable hand warmers that cost £5 for a pair and less than 1p an hour, or £1 a week (if heated on a gas hob) or £3 (electric).
Finally they looked at products that need to be plugged into the mains. An electric heat pad costs around £20 to buy but 2p to run for an hour and 87p a week.
Electric footwarmers and electric blankets also cost the same to run but £25 and £35 to buy respectively. And when it comes to electric blankets, they added that fire brigades generally advise that you do not buy second-hand.
Other methods to stay warm as listed by MSE include:
- Layer clothes to keep in the heat
- Eat regularly and have at least one hot meal a day
- Keep your feet warm with rugs & slippers
- Choose the right socks, and consider changing them during the day
- Warm up by moving around
If you are struggling to pay your energy bills and need some guidance, visit .