THOUSANDS of Brits are facing concerns about how to keep warm this winter – but with the right kit, they won’t even need to turn the heating on.
Shoppers are rushing to B&M to buy its bargain heated gadgets which will keep them toasty for as cheap as £12.
The new range of cosy products boasts a Restore massaging foot warmer (£20) and rechargeable hot water bottle (£15).
There are also multiple heated products from Naeo, including a body cushion (£12), lumber belt (£20), neck vibrator (£12) and slippers (£29).
The new range comes just in time for October 1, as the new energy price cap is implemented and bills begin to peak this winter.
The new energy price cap, which limits the amount that can be charged, will be around 10% higher than the current level which has been in place since July.
Ofgem, which sets the limit, revealed that bills will rise this month from an average of £1,568 to £1,717.
This means the average household paying by direct debt for dual fuel (electricity and gas) will see their annual bill go up by £149, or around £12 a month.
Therefore it’s a great idea to find alternative ways of keeping yourself warm, before heating your home.
By heating yourself instead of your home, you could save £100s off your energy bill – for example, electric blankets cost as little as 3p an hour.
These products are effective in the same way, and if battery powered, costs 0p to run – besides the cost of the batteries, which cost £8 for 12 on Amazon.
Let’s say that’s 2 batteries a month, you’ll be spending £1.30 a month on heating where the average household pays £400-500 a month (according to Plumr.com).
The shoes, and neck and waist warmers, also mean you can keep warm all over your body, while on the move around the house.
The range is not yet visible on the B&M website, but is available to hunt down in store.
This is according to B&M who posted images of the new cosy products on Facebook and said: “Everything I’ve ever need and more! Cosy season, we’re ready for you!”
Others commented: “I need these!” and “This will be a good idea for Nan”.
Heated items could also be a great tool for pensioners this colder season, who have had their Winter Fuel allowances stripped from them in new cuts by the new Labour government.
Following Chancellor Rachel Reeves‘ announcement of a £22bn black hole in public finances, winter fuel payments will now only go to pensioners who are receiving pension credit or any other means-tested benefit.
By spending £20 on a Restore massaging foot warmer, and £12 on a body cushion, a pensioner could be sufficiently heated for the evening, spending a one off payment of £32 but saving £100s over the winter.
However, it is also important to note that the elderly should not avoid turning the heating on if they are cold – for energy help contact your provider or local council, or read our article here.
To find your nearest B&M store, visit the website and use the Store Locator tool.
Products vary site to site, and as the items are brand new, they may not have hit your local yet.
The vibrating neck wrap is the cheapest item of the range, costing only £12 and coming with a lavender and sea salt eye mask.
On the box it is described to be “weighted for comfort” with “comfortable fabric” and “relaxing vibration”.
The item is not heated, but great for relaxation when paired with the other products on this list.
The product is battery-powered so you simply place the product around your neck and turn it on.
Similar items are retailing in John Lewis and Argos, such as the Dreamland Neck vibrator which costs £59.
A William Morris at Home lavender eye mask also costs £14, meaning the B&M punter saves spending £61 with their singular purchase.
Shoppers are also going crazy for the £12 heated body cushion, which can also serve as a hand warmer.
The product is also battery-powered so requires just a simple installation and to be turned on.
Reusable hand warmers cost as much as £20 in Boots, and heated cushions £100 – meaning you could be saving £88 on this one item.
What makes this water bottle different to others is its smart charging port, which allows it to be ready to turn on whenever you need it.
It is ready to use in just under 25 minutes, and has automatic temperature control to prevent it getting too hot.
With the Restore rechargeable hot water bottle for £15, you could be making a save of up to £17, with Argos selling a similar product for £32 – double the price.
Other places which sell electric heat pads include Currys and Electrical World, for prices of £24 to £35.
For £20, the Restore massaging foot warmer can keep you cosy and relaxed for bargain price.
You simply plug the warmer in and turn it on, put your feet inside and wait for it to heat up.
This is compared to the Well Being heated foot massager in Sports Direct, which costs £32.
Similar products are also selling fast on Amazon for £40, meaning you’re beating the crowd with a 50% save.
Heated lumber belts are often pretty pricey to get your hands on.
The battery powered belt wraps around your waist and warms your lower back and stomach.
The John Lewis Dreamland Revive Me belt is selling for £48.53, and on Amazon, as much as £49.99.
This means almost a £30 save on the Naeo product.
The slightly pricier B&M heated slippers are £29, but compared to other retailers, it’s a steal.
These work via battery-power, meaning you can use them again and again.
On Amazon, the Heated Slippers Amiable Foot Warmer is selling for £59.
However, in The Range, you can secure USB Electric Heated Plush slippers for £13 – though this means you can’t wear them walking around the house.
B&M’s Naeo product is battery operated, with “anti-slip soles” and “smooth heating”, so you can keep warm while doing everything you usually get done at home.
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.
Other retailers which sell affordable home heating appliances include Dunelm and The Range
Dunelm is selling a Cream Borg Heatable Foot Warmer for £15 – though keep in mind this does not include delivery charges if you are ordering online.
The Range is also selling a larger Cosy Heat Portable Heater for £24, which can be lied on to keep you extra warm.
Electric blankets are also a great option, and can be found on Wowcher for the low price of £19.99.
As always, we recommend you compare prices by going to retailer websites such as B&M and and choosing the “sort by” tool – you can then browse the “cheapest items first”.
Or for a more specific search look up in the search bar “heated appliances”.
Some energy support funds are also offering free electric blankets to customers who are struggling this winter.
OVO and Octopus Energy are both suppliers who have aimed at “heating the human, not the home”.
Octopus have said they will distribute 20,000 electric blankets from Dreamland to its most vulnerable customers, keeping them warm for “as little as 3p an hour”.
While OVO Energy has launched a £50 million Extra Support Package which includes complimentary energy-conserving items.
Electric blankets are also sometimes available from your council under the Household Support Fund, which renews a fresh pot of £421 million today.
To find out if this is available with your supplier or council, and whether you are eligible, go to their websites and read the terms and conditions of the scheme.
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