As the weather turns colder, many Brits are already thinking about switching on their central heating. But with energy costs set to rise next month and pensioners facing a cold winter without the Winter Fuel Payment, finding affordable ways to stay warm is more important than ever.
This week, Manchester Evening News reporter Emma Gill decided to follow the advice of Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis and ‘heat the human, not the home’. Living alone during the week, she felt it would be wasteful to heat every room. So, she opted to try an electric blanket, a cost-effective solution that’s currently discounted from £46 to £32 at Worsley-based Online Home Shop (OHS).
Emma found the blanket incredibly user-friendly: “You simply unbox it, plug it in, and it’s ready to use,” she explained. “It features a button to adjust the heat, with one being the lowest setting and nine the highest.” The blanket also comes with a timer that can be set for anywhere between one and nine hours.
Emma was impressed with the blanket’s energy efficiency, finding it used only 20 watts per hour, which translates to roughly 1p an hour. “It’s sizeable but not overly so, and incredibly soft,” she said, highlighting the smooth fleece lining and fluffy 3cm pile. “The remote and wires are fully detachable, meaning if you use it frequently – as I fully intend to – you can wash it at 30 degrees and it’ll come out as good as new.”
The OHS electric blanket is generating rave reviews from satisfied customers. “I love this product as it saves me putting my heating on as much,” one happy customer commented on the OHS website. Another exclaimed: “Extremely happy with my throw. Instant heat and soooo cosy!” This customer was so impressed, they decided to purchase another: “Am buying a second one as a gift!” A third customer shared: “I love it! I look forward to getting into bed and feeling toasty.”
Money-saving guru Martin Lewis has long been an advocate for heating people instead of entire homes. His website offers a range of clever tips, including using hot water bottles, microwaveable wheat bags, and even electric gilets to stay warm.
The OHS electric blanket is available in both standard cream and pretty pink, with the pink option now discounted from £45 to £37. For those seeking to avoid the high costs of central heating, this affordable and cozy blanket is a worthwhile investment.
If you’re in the market for an electric blanket, other options abound. You can find the Dreamland Snuggle-Up on Amazon for £59, a Luxury Heated Throw at Dunelm for £40, or a Staysnug Velvet Heated Throw from Lakeland for £55.
