Households can keep warm at night without running the heating (Image: Getty)
Households across the UK can stay warm all night this winter for as little as 1p without running the heating.
have already gone up this month thanks to , meaning the average dual fuel home is now paying £1,738 annually – up from £1,717.
The limits the amount an energy supplier can charge for units of gas and electricity but it isn’t the absolute maximum price households will pay for energy as it’s based on usage – so those that use more, pay more.
And with much of the UK still in the midst of a cold snap, many will be cranking the heating in a bid to stay warm – at a big cost to their energy bills.
But according to indoor living experts , it is possible to keep toasty throughout the night for just one penny by investing in one home item instead of running the heating.
Vonhaus says households should use an electric blanket just before going to bed as it only costs 1p per night to run, making it cheaper than the cost of a daily coffee, or just running a standard heater for a few minutes.
The blankets are cheap to run as they use minimum energy compared to traditional heating methods with most running on about 100 watts, allowing you to warm your bed and yourself without having to crank up the thermostat.
Adele Brennan, Home Electricals buyer at Vonhaus, explains: “For the best results, switch on your blanket about 30 minutes before bed to get that toasty warm feeling right as you snuggle in.
“In fact, you can set it on a timer to avoid accidentally leaving it on all night – just enough warmth to get you through the coldest hours.”
You can buy an electric blanket for around £30 at some major retailers, including Argos, Dunelm and Amazon, so it won’t break the bank to invest in one and you can make use of it every winter. Of course if you don’t want to invest in one there are some cheaper options you can try which don’t require having to blast the heating.
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Vonhaus suggests placing a hold water bottle under your covers just before going to bed as an alternative, as the heat will radiate through your bedding and keep you warm for several hours.
You can also try layering up your bedding by swapping out lightweight summer duvets for a heavier, winter-rated one, or add throws, blankets or flannel sheets which naturally trap heat better than cotton.
Brennan adds: “Remember, it’s all about efficiency: keeping the warmth where you need it most (your bed or bedroom) rather than trying to heat your entire home.”