SHOPPERS have been raving about a Dunelm buy that costs just 14p-per-hour to run.
As temperatures continue to drop in the UK, this gadget can help you keep your energy bills down and stay warm this winter.
Dunelm’s 650W 5 Fin Oil Filled Radiator costs 14p-per-hour to run[/caption]
Dunelm is selling a 650W 5 Fin Oil Filled Radiator, which you can snap up for £25.
Dunelm says that oil-filled radiators are “usually seen as the most reliable type of portable heating source”.
This gadget comes with over heat protection and thermostatic control.
It has a portable, compact build, which makes it easy to move around your house.
Shoppers have left hundreds of reviews on the Dunelm website, hailing the product’s “great value”.
One customer commented: “I have an average sized living room and with doors shut it warms the room up very well. Small and light enough to carry to the bedroom if needed. Good product and cheap to use.”
Another shopper added: “It’s a great little radiator and the heat that comes from it is phenomenal. I would highly recommend this.”
Users have also described the gadget as a “great little economical heater” and a “small but mighty radiator”.
The retailer says the heater is suitable for smaller rooms, allowing you to keep your bedroom warm as temperatures plummet.
Is heating just one room cheaper?
A gas-powered central heating system is generally the most economical way to heat an entire property as modern gas boilers are very efficient and electricity costs about four times more than gas per unit.
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won’t even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you’ve let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven’t browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
Under the current Ofgem energy price cap, electricity costs a maximum of 26.35pence per kWh, while gas is capped at 6.29pence per kWh.
If you have a gas boiler and you’re looking to heat a single room for a period of time, the best method will depend on whether you can control the temperature in your home on a per-room basis.
If you don’t have the option of using radiator controls for every room in your house, you may want to switch off the central heating and use a standalone heater in the room you’re occupying.
But this can be an expensive strategy if you use an electric fan heater, an electric convector heater, or an oil-filled radiator.
Options with cheaper running costs include a gas fireplace (if you already have one installed), halogen heaters and infrared heaters.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.
