Money Saving Expert (MSE) has shared a way to keep warm at home for around 74p a week. The tip comes among a series of other handy pointers as households struggle to keep the central heating on amid a cost of living crisis that has grumbled on for years.
Heating the human, not the home
MSE, which was founded by financial guru Martin Lewis, urges people to "heat the human, not the home" - and has listed a number of ways households can do just that, from under 1p per hour.
However, Mr Lewis said: "Don't see this as an 'MSE or Martin says you should do this'. It's more that we're trying to help provide some options and information for those that may need to drastically cut down on energy usage due to financial desperation and some help for others who may want to do it out of a commitment to green issues."
Health and safety cautions
The guidance also cautions that switching off central heating entirely can trigger health problems, while inadequate home heating may lead to damp and frozen pipes. The Energy Savings Trust advises ventilating rooms and maintaining some level of heating throughout winter.
Practical tips for staying warm
Choosing appropriate clothing while indoors can help you keep warm, with MSE also suggesting various other strategies. Among these is simply using a hot water bottle, which carries an initial purchase cost of around £5.50, followed by 74p weekly if filled twice daily for seven days.
Alternative methods of "heating the human, not the home" include USB gloves, an electric gilet, reusable handwarmers, and electric blankets. The NHS advises that eating regularly will help maintain body warmth, and recommends having at least one hot meal daily. It also suggests consuming hot drinks on a regular basis.
