WINTER WARMER
Five free and cheap products to avoid putting the heating on this winter including B&M and M&S must-haves
Plus watch our video on how to save on your energy bills
COLD winter nights will soon be upon us and many will be looking for cheap ways to stay warm without putting the heating on.
Energy bills are set to rise by around £149 a year because of Ofegm's latest price cap.
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Meanwhile, around 10 million pensioners have been left £300 out of pocket because of cuts made to the Winter Fuel Payment
The benefit has been taken away from all but the poorest pensioners in the country.
So if you are looking to stay warm on a budget this winter, it might be worth checking out these heating gadgets for under £20.
However, it is worth keeping in mind that The NHS currently advises to switch the heating on when temperatures dip below 15C.
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This is because cooler temperatures can pose a health risk, particularly for older people.
If you are concerned about being able to switch your central heating on it is worth getting in touch with your local council or supplier for extra support.
1. M&S Supersoft Pocket Cushion - £15
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This soft cushion could be the ticket for keeping you warm while the nights get longer.
It is lined with fleece and comes in a light stone colour, which can blend in with your other home decor.
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If you find your hands feel the cold quite easily, then you might want to check this out as it comes with pockets that you can slide them into.
You can also use this as a head or lap warmer if you want to keep your hands free while you read or watch telly.
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The pocket cushion costs £15 at M&S and is available to buy online and in-store, but you will have to factor in delivery costs if you purchase this through its website.
If you are in the market for something cheaper, Dunelm is selling something quite similar for £12.
Its Borg Heatable Hand Cosy comes with a heatable microwave bag that you warm up and put inside the fluffy hand warmer.
2. B&M neckband heater - £15.99
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B&M is selling a heated neckband with four different warmth settings to keep you warm while you are on the go or at home.
It costs £15.99 and comes with a USB charger, which means you can save money on replacing batteries.
This is available to buy in B&M stores, but is worth ringing up ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
The exact temperature to set your thermostat
ENERGY bills remain relatively high leaving many worrying over the thermostat.
Energy experts have revealed the exact temperature to set it at so that you can save cash and still keep warm.
When it comes to your thermostat, the Energy Saving Trust recommends you should set it to the "lowest comfortable temperature".
For the majority of us, this is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius.
It's just the right balance between keeping your home warm, and keeping those energy bills as low as possible.
If you have your thermostat set at a higher temperature you can probably afford to turn it down and still keep cosy.
Of course, there are exceptions like anyone who is in ill health, and there is support available to cover extra costs.
Just by turning down the temp by a single degree, you could save as much as £100 a year.
If you cut it by more you will obviously make even bigger savings.
The Energy Saving Trust also says that you don’t need to turn your thermostat up when it is colder outside, the house will still heat up to the set temperature.
You can find your nearest B&M store by visiting the store finder section of its website,
Another hack to save money this winter is to charge your devices during off-peak hours.
Energy prices are more expensive during peak hours because of increased demand on the energy grid, which makes it more pricey for energy providers to provide electricity.
Energy is cheaper for firms to provide when demand is lower, and so is cheaper for customers.
3. Primark Snuddie - £16
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These oversized hooded blankets are not only on trend but a practical way to keep warm this winter.
Primark has brought out a range which starts at £16 and comes in a number of colours and patterns for men and women.
You can order online via click-and-collect or buy from one of Primark's 191 stores across the UK.
If you are on the hunt for a bargain, Sports Direct is selling a plain snuggle hoodie for £6.99.
B&Q is also selling something very similar for £14.99 but it is only available for home delivery, so you will have to factor in delivery charges.
4. Dunelm Borg Heated Foot Warmer - £15
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Buying a heated foot warmer can be another way to keep warm without putting on your heating.
Dunelm is selling one of these devices for £15 online and in-store.
It comes with a removable microwave heat pack that you warm up and then place back in the warmer.
This appears to be the cheapest foot warmer currently on the market.
But if you do not fancy running to the microwave multiple times a day, you can buy a plug-in foot warmer from Argos for £40.
5. Octopus electric blanket - free
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Octopus Energy is handing out freebies such as electric blankets as part of its Octo Assist fund.
Analysis by the firm shows that customers with electric blankets saw a 20% fall in their gas bill, while only increasing their electricity usage by 0.2% – adding up to an average saving of £150 across winter
Customers can get an electric blanket from Octoupus if they are facing financial hardship.
You must apply online for the scheme and the company will assess whether or not you qualify.
The energy firm, which serves six million customers, is also loaning thousands of thermal imaging cameras to customers so that they can find spots in their homes where heat was escaping.
Once those draughts are identified, people can then look into ways to get them fixed and thus reduce their energy usage.
What other support is available?
If you fear you may struggle to afford your energy costs this winter, you should note some of the other financial help available.
Many of the UK’s biggest energy suppliers have grants in place to support struggling customers.
Eligibility criteria may vary depending on the supplier, while the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
The country’s biggest supplier, British Gas, previously had an energy grant scheme in place, with the hardest-pressed households receiving a grant of up to £2,000.
The firm has also launched a debt reduction scheme called "You Pay: We Pay".
Struggling customers will also be able to get part of their debts wiped via what's known as "debt matching".
For instance, if a customer pays £100, British Gas will pay off £100 too, effectively wiping half the amount owed and getting the customer back on track sooner.
The £15million scheme opened in June and eligible customers have been contacted directly.
Elsewhere, EDF has a customer support fund which on average wipes £1,250 off customers' bills.
It is available to vulnerable customers experiencing hardship.
To apply, visit EDF’s website and make sure you have details of your account number (find it on your energy bills or EDF emails) and the current debt balance on all EDF accounts you have.
Check directly with your supplier to see what help is available from them.
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You should also be aware of the government's £150 Warm Home Discount and Household Support Fund.
The Sun previously rounded up all the energy bill help worth £5,710 that you could be eligible to claim, which you can read here.
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