‘Much cheaper than running the heating!’ woman says about winter must-have
WITH the latest rise in energy prices, people across Britain are looking for different ways to keep their homes warm without turning on the heating.
And they’ve come up with some handy hacks and ideas to keep things cozy indoors – all of which have been approved by money-saving expert Martin Lewis.
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The tips and tricks were shared on the Website of money saving expertsas homeowners were urged to ‘heat the man’ rather than trying to keep their entire property warm all the time.
The team also tested different personal heating devices to see which were the most effective.
And while an electric gilet may seem like an expensive initial outlay, they found it was one of the best and cheapest at around £50.
The vests are charged by plugging the battery packs into your computer’s USB slot, meaning they cost less than 1 cent per hour to use.
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It also only costs about 4 cents per week, if charged for five hours per day.
And impressed shoppers also took to the website to share their positive reviews of the vest, with one writing: “I have a heated vest – you use it with a charging pack that charges like a mobile phone.
“I now wear it around the house during the day and just turn it on when I’m cold.
“Really keeps my core warm.
“Much cheaper to charge the pack than to turn on the heating, I think!”
Other cheap heating ideas include USB heated gloves and hand warmers, and heated insoles for your shoes.
They all also cost about 4 cents per week to use.
Reflecting on the guide, Martin said: “This is a guide that I really wish we didn’t have to publish.
“The reason I asked the team to put this together is due to my overflowing email bag of desperation from people who can’t pay their utility bills.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Real estate expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the cold from outside to enter your home, this is due to small openings that can let air in, so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth because it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another part of your home where heat can be lost and make your home feel cold,” he continued. “On cold days you may notice that your floor is not pleasant to walk on because your feet are freezing.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have carpet. This will provide a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, attic space, crawl spaces and under floorboards.
“Loose insulation is great for this, and it is a more affordable form of insulation, with a large bag being picked up for around £30,” explains Joshua.
4. Keep your interior doors closed
“Household members often congregate in one room in the evening, which is usually the kitchen or living room,” says Joshua.
“This means you only need to heat a small part 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 mailboxes as these can let in cold air if they are not properly secured.
“So don’t see this as a ‘MSE or Martin says you have to do this’.
“It’s more that we’re trying to provide some options and information to those who may need to drastically cut back on their energy use due to financial desperation, and provide some assistance to others who may want to do so out of a commitment to green issues. “
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