I’m a savvy money saver & my 2p hack will save you a fortune on your heating bills this winter, it’s simple
WITH Summer 2024 drawing to a close and colder weather around the corner, many will be wondering how best to heat their homes in the most cost-effective manner.
For the average UK home, heating accounts for over half of the monthly energy bill with the average total energy cost on a three bedroom home lying between £1650 and £1950.
One area which will further compound this is working from home.
Emily Caloe, senior buyer at homeware experts, Vonhaus, explains: “As remote working continues to be the norm, many will find themselves juggling productivity with cost-consciousness.
“However, keeping warm during working hours without breaking the bank can be a delicate balance.
“As we transition into the autumn, heating the whole house can be a very inefficient way of beating the chill and it’s often better to create a personal warmth zone to keep costs down.”
Here, we reveal the essential products you need to enjoy a cosy, cost-effective winter.
Keeping it cheap
When the mercury drops below zero, snuggle up and save with a heated blanket – a cosy, energy-efficient addition to your bedspread.
Heated blankets and throws again offer an excellent way to stay warm without the need to heat an entire house – or even, a full room.
These cosy companions are designed to provide warmth directly to your body, making them perfect for curling up on the sofa or staying warm while working away at your desk.
Heated blankets are one of the most cost-effective ways to keep warm.
They typically use between 100 to 150 watts of power, which translates to around 2 to 3 pence per hour in energy costs.
This is considerably cheaper than using central heating, especially if you’re working in a single room.
For example, if you use a heated blanket for eight hours a day, it would cost you between 16 and 24 pence.
For best results
UK homes are famous for being draughty and poorly-insulated so only warming one room at a time through the use of a heater is an economical alternative.
For larger rooms, a freestanding electric stove can be a savvy solution, keeping your home warm for extended periods while looking classy and elegant in the process.
Some electric stove heaters bring rustic charm without the hassle, mimicking the look of a traditional wood burner without the smoke fumes.
Emily advises: “If you’re really looking to cut costs, choose a stove with thermostatically controlled smart features to ensure your heater automatically switches off or on according to room temperature.
“For best results, pair your stove heater with a bespoke stove fan to maximise your log burner’s heat and ensure an even distribution throughout your living spaces.”
Good value for money
An oil-filled radiator is another option offering cosy warmth at the touch of a button.
These use thermal oil to generate heat which then releases warmth around the room.
These offer good value for money too with operating costs around 49p per hour of use. Unlike traditional radiators, oil-filled radiators also continue to emit heat even after being turned off.
Oil-filled radiators also offer easy portability and can be picked up and dropped in place next to your designated workstation.
Many radiators will have high / low heat settings which allows you to adjust temperature depending on the conditions.
This makes them ideal for quick, hassle-free heating in rooms without radiators which makes it a useful stopgap during the autumn.
When it comes to staying warm while working from home, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Your choice of heating device should depend on your specific needs, such as the size of your workspace, budget and the level of warmth required.
For those who want a personal heating solution with minimal costs, heated blankets and desk heaters are excellent choices.
If you’re looking for something that combines efficiency with aesthetic appeal, a stove heater is a sage choice.
5 Money-saving tips for autumn/winter
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.