Savvy families have been stocking up on items to keep them warm before the price of household energy rises from October 1.
Although the Government has stepped in to guarantee a typical household can expect to pay £2,500 a year under its energy price guarantee instead of the £3,549 a year set under the energy price cap, that's cold comfort to families whose budgets are already stretched to bursting point as the cost of living spirals.
When the Government's £400 energy rebate is included, the average family should be paying around £2,100 for their gas and electricity bill per year from tomorrow, which is £129 more than they are currently paying and a whopping £823 more than last year's price cap of £1,277 for average use.
Read more: Rising bills leave Argos shoppers hungry for energy-saving air fryers and slow cookers
However, most households aren't typical, and your bill depends on how much energy you actually use. Things like the number of occupants, the type of property and how energy efficient it is all make a difference.
Faced with the certainty that it's going to be a more expensive winter this year, people have been looking around for things to keep the chill at bay, and online retailer Studio has reported a staggering 7,900% increase in the search ‘how to keep warm without heating’ compared to last year. As hard-up households try to hold off switching the hearting on as long as possible, there has also been a 350% increase in sales for electric blankets and a 372% increase for fleece pyjamas.
Comparing sales over a three-week period both before and after the announcement of the new energy price cap in August, Studio has also seen sales for oversized Sherpa fleece hoodies surge by 598%, fleece bedding by 144% and onesies by 706%.
Most homes should be able to get through the night without leaving the heating on, as long as you have a warm bed to keep you toasty while you're asleep.
Here, Leanne O'Malley at Studio has shared some tips on how to keep warm without having the heating on.
Opt for flannel or fleece bedding: One of the easiest ways to avoid feeling the chill at night is to upgrade your bedding to a warmer alternative. Flannelette sheets have fallen out of fashion somewhat in the past few years, but both flannel and fleece are great options for winter bedding, as they are thicker than cotton and are effective insulators.
Try an electric or weighted blanket: An electric blanket is significantly cheaper to run than keeping your central heating on and warms the person, not the room when you are in bed. Many electric blankets also come with self-timers, so you can set them to be on for just an hour or two while you drift off, which will help you to reduce costs even further. Weighted blankets are another way to stay warm on a budget. Known for helping reduce feelings of anxiety and even improving sleep issues, these blankets are great at insulating heat and keeping sleepers warm.
Pick a warm but versatile duvet: As many try to avoid turning their heating on at night, lots of people are shopping for a duvet that can withstand the cold of winter. And while it might be tempting to swap your current duvet for the thickest one possible, it’s not necessarily the best option. Instead, you want a versatile duvet that, once paired with appropriate bedding and blankets, will be suitable for the coldest nights throughout the season as well as the milder evenings too. Then, once we transition into spring, you don’t have to shell out for another duvet. The ‘tog’ of a duvet is a rating between the range of 2.5 to 15 which indicates its warmth. So, a tog of 10.5 to 12.5 is a good place to start when picking a duvet for this winter.
Wear the right type of pyjamas: When it comes to keeping warm in the evenings, the same fabrics you want for your bedding apply to your own clothing too. Fleece or wool pyjamas that fit well and are comfortable are ideal to sleep in during the colder seasons, while dressing gowns, hooded blankets, and oversized hoodies are great for around the house as well as to sleep in on particularly cold evenings. If you’re someone who struggles with poor circulation or simply often finds that your feet have escaped the duvet, then don’t forget to keep covered with thick, cosy socks.
Reseal your windows: It’s not just your bed that plays a role in keeping you warm at night. You should also check your windows for cracks and leaks, as this could be the cause of draughts or condensation. Using a silicone-based caulk or sealant, you can reseal your windows yourself and save cash on hiring a professional to boot. Don’t just focus on your bedroom, either. You need to ensure that your entire home is insulating as much heat as possible.
Rearrange your furniture: As simple as it sounds, you may not have thought about how the layout of your room is impacting your sleep. Make sure your bed is positioned away from windows and doors to avoid any draught. You also want your bed to be as close to the room’s radiator as possible without obstructing it, as this will impact the overall temperature of the room. Allow enough space for the radiator’s heat to circulate so that the entire bedroom is nice and toasty when the heating is on during the day.
Now read:
- Forget £2,500, here's how much your family will really pay for energy from this weekend
- Thousands more to get £400 energy rebate including tenants who pay all-inclusive bills
- How much it will cost to put your kettle on to boil from October 1
- Money changes due to hit your pocket before Christmas
- When will the second £324 cost of living payment be coming?
