People could stand to save cash without having to go cold this winter
With winter weather on the horizon, many households will face the daunting prospect of heating their homes properly to combat the cold. However, this comes at a major expense due to the rising cost of energy bills.
Martin Lewis, the founder of Money Saving Expert, has made it no secret over the last few years that people could stand to make serious savings if they invested in certain appliances and habits to cut back on the cost without having to suffer in the cold. Lately, his advice on dehumidifiers was back in the headlines following the broadcaster and personal finance expert describing tumble dryers as ‘demon appliances’ regarding energy costs during an episode of The Martin Lewis Podcast.
It was reported that shoppers can snap up a bargain unit in Lidl for £75 later this week. But there are plenty of other smart appliance swaps and investments that shoppers can make now to prepare themselves for the bitter winter weather, when keeping homes warm will be essential.
In a blog post, the team behind Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert (MSE) website explained that it is more cost-effective to heat a person rather than an entire home if you are on a budget. It does stress that not heating your home properly can contribute to damp issues and frozen pipes, though, especially in cold weather, which can result in hundreds of pounds of damage.
However, for those days or nights when you want to warm up quickly rather than resort to blasting the heating system, there are plenty of ways to safely (and cheaply) heat yourself directly. If you can afford the upfront cost of these items, they’ll slowly save you money on your energy bills in the long run.
The team at MSE highlighted the following items in a list of items that cost little to use and can help cut money off bills: USB gloves, heated insoles, USB hand warmers, electric gilet, microwaveable wheat bag, hot water bottle (1.5 litre), reusable hand warmers, electric heat pad, electric footwarmer, electric blanket (single).
The latter option, electric blankets, can cost as little as 2p-per-hour to run, according to MSE. Many are commonly sold now by retailers like Amazon, Dunelm, and more. They help keep you warmer than wrapping up in a normal blanket. Instead of heating the whole home, they can heat a person directly, making them an economical choice, with most only taking up mere pennies to run.
After a quick look online, shoppers can see that various retailers offer many options. One option is a £32 Fleece Electric Throw from Dunelm, which costs close to 3p-per-hour to run. We’ve worked this out using an online energy cost calculator, which takes the latest October Price Cap (2025) into account.
Other electric blankets include the Home Neutral Heated Throw (Argos, £50). Also, shoppers could go for the Slumberdown Elegantly Warm Luxury Electric Blanket (Debenhams, £54.34 down from £103) or the LIVIVO Electric Heated Blanket, available in four different colours (Amazon, £39.99 down from £49.99), to name just a few.
Other suggestions by the MSE team included heat pads or foot warmers, to offer targeted areas of warmth. These are a few items that rely on mains electricity, so being close to a plug socket is essential for them to work. If shoppers want something more mobile, there are battery-powered items, like rechargeable hand warmers or body-warming devices. But sometimes, a classic item might be best.
Martin’s team said this item costs nothing more than a single boil of the kettle – the hot water bottle. Readily available in all kinds of stores, this tried and true warming device can offer targeted warmth that stays trapped if kept safely under a blanket or duvet cover. The team also mentioned a trick of combining a hot water bottle with a sleeping bag to trap heat inside. However, they stressed that people need to make sure their hot water bottles are still safe to use.
Although these bottles are a staple for easing aches or heating up cold bedsheets, hot water bottles can be a hazard. We’ve previously highlighted the little-known fact that they come with expiry dates, and ignoring these could increase the chances of a split and consequent injuries.
Other tips from Martin’s team included making sure that you have the right amount of clothing layers on, eating at least one hot meal a day and investing in cosy socks, slippers and rugs if you have cold wooden floors. There are a number of help schemes available, whether from your supplier, local council, charities or the Government. You can see all of our latest articles and advice on energy bills by clicking here.