Mums rave over ‘perfect little heater’ that keeps rooms warm for 14p & means you DON’T need to use the central heating
IT'S no secret the cost of putting on the central heating has soared alongside the cost of living, but that doesn't mean you can't be cosy and warm at home.
That's because Dunelm have a cost-effective alternative - and mums have been raving about it online.
Small but mighty, the radiator has thermostatic control and specially designed to prevent overheating, so that's one less thing to worry about.
It's best used in small rooms, can be moved around the home thanks to its portable and compact design.
Dunelm bosses said: "Featuring thermostatic control, this Oil Filled Radiator is ideal for easily transporting around the home with its portable, compact build and comes fitted with 5 fins."
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Shoppers have been impressed with the bargain buy too, as it currently has an average rating of four out of five stars online.
One shopper wrote: "Perfect little heater. This small oil filled radiator is perfect for keeping feet and legs warm whilst sitting, especially when at a desk and computer, without needing the main central heating on.
And a second said: "A neat little heater just enough to 'take the chill off'"
A third chimed in: "Worth every penny. Great little heater and very reasonably priced. It had no problem heating up a double bedroom. Well worth buying."
That said, some were left unsatisfied, and one Dunelm fan said: "Not impressed with the output, it takes the chill off but doesn’t really heat the room."
How much does it cost to run an oil-filled radiator?
Oil radiators use an electrical element to heat up thermal oil inside.
Of course, heating up the element requires energy and that affects your bills.
The exact amount you'll pay on running your oil-filled radiator depends on the model you have and how much you use it.
But the hourly cost of using the radiator is enough to give pause for thought.
If you're worried about using the heating, then there are other more cost-effective ways to keep warm this winter.
On average, USwitch estimates it will cost 24p to run a heated blanket for one hour a day for seven days from October - which is considerably cheaper than using an oil-filled radiator.
You could also stock up on hot water bottles too.
It'll cost 17p to run your kettle for 10 minutes.
If you do that once a day for your hot water bottle, for the same four months of the year, that's just £2.40 in total.
For eco-warriers, the oil-filled radiator could also be problematic.
Utilita says it used up around 0.5826kg in CO2 emissions per hour - the equivalent to driving 2.11 miles.
For comparison, the emissions produced by an electric blanket for an hour would be the equivalent to driving 0.05 miles - that’s about 80 metres.
What can I do to keep energy bills down?
The cost of energy is high on many people’s minds at the moment as bills are soaring.
But there are steps you can take to keep your energy usage in check - which will help keep costs down.
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We have investigated the seven worst appliances to leave on standby, that could be adding hundreds to your bills.
We've also looked into how to save energy in every room of your home.
What energy bill help is available?
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.