BILL BUSTER
Waitrose is selling a £10 energy-saving gadget that avoids putting the heating on
Plus, other ways to save money on your energy bills
WAITROSE is selling a £10 energy-saving gadget that could save you hundreds of pounds on your bills.
With the UK still firmly in the grip of winter, households will be looking for any way possible to cut back on heating costs.
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And now shoppers can pick up a nifty bill-busting device from Waitrose that will keep you warm for less.
The posh retailer is selling a 2000-watt Status portable fan heater on its website for just £10.
The gadget comes with two heat settings, with the lowest costing you just 14p an hour to run.
To put that in context, the average 24 kilowatt boiler costs £1.68 an hour to run.
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The heater also has a safety overheat feature which turns it off if it gets too hot and a handle so you can move it around easily.
Waitrose's website says it is ideal to keep smaller spaces warm, and the fan setting can be used to blow out cool air during the summer, making a worthwhile investment.
If you're thinking of buying the heater, bear in mind you'll have to spend a minimum £40 to be eligible for home delivery or click and collect.
You may be able to find one in your local Waitrose store though, which you can find by using the retailer's online branch locator tool.
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You could try giving your nearest store a call to see if they have any in stock so you don't make a wasted journey.
Of course, always remember to shop around when buying something like this as you might find it cheaper elsewhere.
You can use the Google Shopping tab to do a quick scan of the internet and see how much other retailers are selling an item for.
Websites like Price Runner and Price Spy are useful for comparing prices on thousands of items too.
In comparison, Dunelm is selling a 2,000-watt fan heater for £14 while Toolstation has one for £12 and Argos' model is £20.
Bear in mind, each of the devices will come with their own unique features though and home delivery charges vary.
How else to save money on energy bills
Portable heaters, like Waitrose's, are just one way of saving money on your energy bills while keeping warm this winter.
Electric blankets and heated throws are great at keeping you cosy and usually much cheaper than turning on the heating.
You can avoid losing any excess heat through your home with draught excluders too, which you can get from just £2.
With 25% of your home's heat lost through the roof, investing in loft insulation can make your home more energy-efficient as well.
According to consumer website Which?, it typically costs around £20 for a 100mm-thick roll which covers 8.3 square metres.
You might be able to get money that can be used to cover the cost of energy bills too.
The Household Support Fund is available to families in England, with the latest round of funding worth £842million.
Who qualifies for help varies depending on where you live as each council sets it own eligibility criteria.
However, in most cases, help is offered to those on a low income or benefits.
Some councils are handing out energy and supermarket vouchers while others are transferring money directly into bank accounts.
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You should get in touch with your local council to see what help is available.
You can find your nearest council by using the Government's council locator tool online and entering your postcode.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Facebook group to share your tips and stories.
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