Home Bargains is offering the PIFCO Electric Heated Blanket from £12.99, a device that can keep the whole body warm at home without turning on the central heating. The blanket costs only a few pence an hour in electricity, making it an affordable alternative for staying cosy.
What the blanket offers
The blanket comes in a range of sizes, including one large enough for a king-size bed, and uses "advanced technology" to maintain warmth at a budget price. It features three heat settings and is machine-washable, according to the retailer.
Home Bargains described the product as an "exceptional" heated electric underblanket for a "cosy, comfortable sleeping experience." The store added that its advanced heating technology ensures even heat distribution, "which guarantees a cosy and comfortable experience that will leave you longing for bedtime every day."
Running costs compared
Looking online, the average cost to keep the blanket on for an hour is less than 2p. Using it for six hours a day would cost about 12p. In comparison, running a standard gas central heating system costs around £1.40 to £1.60 an hour if the boiler runs continuously at maximum output, which adds up to nearly £9 for that same six-hour period.
Martin Lewis and his MoneySavingExpert website recommend electric blankets or heated throws as part of their "heat the person, not the home" strategy, noting they cost only a few pence an hour compared to central heating.
Other energy-saving devices
Home Bargains also sells the PIFCO Electric Heated Airer (£34.99), described as a highly effective tool for drying clothes indoors during the damp, cold autumn and winter months. While a standard drying rack can take days to dry heavy winter clothes, often leaving a musty smell, the heated airer warms fabric directly to speed up the process.
Based on current electricity rates of 26.32p per kWh, the airer costs approximately 6.05p per hour to run. Under normal conditions, a full load of winter laundry typically dries in about four to seven hours, costing between 24p and 43p in total electricity.
