WITH winter lurking around the corner and temperatures dropping, many cash-strapped households are faced with the dilemma – whether to stay warm or save money.
The recent energy bill hike saw prices skyrocket by an astronomical 10%, forcing millions of Brits to come up with savvy hacks to stay toasty – or to look for purse-friendly bargain buys so they wouldn’t have to freeze inside their homes.
One such affordable product that’s been trending recently is Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket on Amazon.
The winter must-have, also available in Single, King and Super King, is going for £25 and costs just a mere 1p to run per hour.
Made from snuggly fleece material, the bedroom essential features three heat settings and it’s also safe to throw in the washing machine.
What’s more, the product’s description online reads, the blanket also heats up in no time – so you don’t have to wait around for ages before you can enjoy a good night’s rest.
The blanket, measuring at 135x120cm in size, has already taken the online giant by storm, with more than a staggering 9k orders in just one month alone.
With over a whopping 45k positive reviews, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the £25 buy has racked up a very impressive 4.4-star rating on the website.
Delighted customers like the warmth, quality, and value of the blanket, with many just how quickly it heats up their beds.
One Amazon shopper who’d given the bargain buy the maximum of five stars, said: ”I recently purchased the Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket, and it has truly transformed my chilly nights into a warm and inviting haven.
”This heated electric fitted under blanket offers the perfect balance of comfort and control, making it a must-have for anyone seeking a cosy night’s sleep.”
Another one chimed in: ”It’s soft enough that you won’t feel the wires (which is an issue with some electric under blankets).
”The settings are simple. 3 will give you a nice glow, 2 is a comfortable warmth, 1 is strictly to maintain a gentle hum of heat once it’s been warmed up by 2 or 3.”
A third added: ”I can’t live without this now in the winter, it’s so lovely and warm.
”Saves on electric bills too. It’s easy to control, great quality and washes well.”
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.
However, despite the rave reviews, there was also some – though very little – criticism.
Many noted that the heated blanket arrived significantly smaller than they had expected.
”Please note the size of this electric blanket it is quite small,” warned a disappointed shopper.
Another critic claimed that the blankets are ”great until they last”.
”After buying 5 of these, each in different size, single, double and king size, they all die within 6 months.
”Most people who review these do so after a few days or weeks of owning the product. There is definitely a flaw in these blankets.”
