As winter approaches, households face rising energy costs. Martin Lewis's MoneySavingExpert (MSE) team has highlighted a simple gadget that can run for just 3p per hour and potentially save £130 on annual energy bills.
Electric blankets are among the most cost-effective ways to stay warm without heating an entire home. A Fleece Electric Throw from Dunelm, priced at £32, costs around 3p per hour to run, based on the October 2025 Price Cap. Other options include the Home Neutral Heated Throw (£50 at Argos) and the Slumberdown Elegantly Warm Luxury Electric Blanket (£54.34 at Debenhams, down from £103).
The MSE team advises that heating a person directly is cheaper than heating a whole house. They recommend items such as USB gloves, heated insoles, hand warmers, electric gilets, microwaveable wheat bags, hot water bottles, electric heat pads, foot warmers, and electric blankets. These gadgets use minimal electricity and can reduce reliance on central heating.
For mobile warmth, battery-powered options like rechargeable hand warmers are available. However, classic hot water bottles cost only the energy to boil a kettle. The team warns that hot water bottles have expiry dates and should be checked for safety to avoid splits.
By investing in these low-cost gadgets, households can stay warm while cutting energy bills. The MSE team stresses that proper heating is still needed to prevent damp and frozen pipes, but targeted heating can offer significant savings.
