A MUM has found a budget-friendly winter essential from Aldi, claiming it will “keep you warm for pennies.”
She shared her discovery on Mumsnet after another parent sought advice on how to stay warm without turning on the heating.
One mum asked the forum for tips on “heating one room as cheaply as possible.”
She explained: “I work from home and can’t afford to have my heating on all day.
“My house is freezing with high ceilings. I can’t focus when it’s so cold. What’s the cheapest way to heat one room during the day?”
Several money-saving parents quickly chimed in with their thoughts and clever hacks.
One commenter mentioned a surprising find from Aldi that promises to warm you up in seconds.
They wrote: “Others have already made most of my points, so I’ll just add: Make sure you wear some sort of head covering, like a woolly hat.
“Five-minute stretches help wake me up and keep me warm. I use a fan heater on and off for about eight hours, and it costs around 30-40p a day.
“My electric throw is much cheaper but a bit cumbersome. I saw a plug-in electric jumper in Aldi the other day, which I’m considering
“Or you can buy very small heat pads (they’re intended for animals) – sit on one, and it will keep you warm for pennies.”
Another user suggested: “I turn the radiator on for an hour or two in the morning, then maybe again at lunchtime for an hour if needed.”
Someone else recommended: “Probably set the heating on a timer and turn off all other radiators except the one in the room you’re working in.
“It might be a bit of a chore to turn them all on again later, so the rest of your house isn’t freezing.
“An electric blanket or hot water bottle might be easier?”
A fourth user advised: “If you have a choice of rooms, pick one where you can sit near the radiator.
“If it’s away from a draughty window and a small room that heats up quickly, even better.
“Heat just that room during the day. Other tips: Wear thermals, fingerless gloves, and a blanket or throw over your legs.
“Drink hot drinks and use a hot water bottle.
“Move around regularly – run up and down the stairs or do star jumps to get your circulation going.”
1. Draught-proof your home
It takes time and money to heat up your home, so it’s important that you do as much as you can to keep in the warmth. Close your doors and windows, and fill any gaps with a draught excluder.
2. Dial down your thermostat
According to Energy UK, turning down your thermostat by just one degree Celsius could cut your heating bill by up to 10%, and save you around £85 per year. Plus, if you don’t have a thermostat, installing one could save up to £70 per year!
3. Move furniture around
Make sure not big, bulky furniture like sofas are blocking radiators.
4. Wash clothes on a lower temp and add an extra spin
Unless it’s bedding, towels or really dirty items, dial down the temperature to 20 or 30 degrees, and do a double spin to remove excess water.
5. Heat the person not the home
There’s not point heating up a room that no one is sitting in, so be mindful about which radiators are on.
