How to stay warm this winter with the latest energy-saving products
Faced with soaring energy bills and plummeting temperatures, staying warm at home this winter is a concern for many of us.
However, a whole range of products – from heated hoodies to foot warmers – is flooding the shelves with the promise of keeping you snug for just a few pennies of electricity.
So the Good Housekeeping Institute set about finding out which of these innovations actually work, and which are just a lot of hot air…
Below, we reveal how to stay toasty without having your heating running constantly. We’ve split our guide into four categories of heated products – hot water bottles, heating pads, electric blankets and heated clothing – and the GHI experts have shared the pros and cons of each.
Crucially, we’ve measured the energy efficiency of each product, so you can weigh up which is the most cost-effective warmer for you. We’ve also included advice on how to use them alongside your central heating.
All the energy prices below have been calculated using the £0.249/kWh price of electricity, set out in the Energy Price Guarantee.
When to use heated products at home
Whether you’re considering an electric blanket for your bed or some foot warmers while working at your desk, it’s important to use them in the most effective way. We asked the Energy Saving Trust’s Knowledge Manager, Joanna O’Loan, for her advice.
“We’re all looking for ways to save money on our heating bills but relying on heated products entirely, instead of heating our homes, can increase the risk of condensation,” she says.
“Cooking, washing and breathing all add moisture to the air that could condense onto cold surfaces, including walls. This may lead to damp, which could damage the structure of your home or cause mould. It’s therefore advisable to put some heating on more frequently in the colder months, to keep your walls warm and prevent condensation.
“Using heated products from time to time, to help take the chill off the coldest days, isn’t a problem, however.”
If you have a gas boiler, the best way to keep your heating bill down is to only have it on when you need it, rather than always keeping it on a low temperature. “If you leave the house for a few hours, you will save money by turning the heating off,” Joanna explains. “The average house will then take about 30 minutes to warm up once the heating has been switched back on.
“An important exception is if freezing temperatures are forecast. In this case, it’s advisable to keep the heating on and set your thermostat to around 5°C to prevent pipes from freezing. Modern boilers also often have in-built frost protection to stop them dropping below freezing.”
When it comes to which heated products are best, Joanna says it’s all down to personal preference, and the Good Housekeeping Institute is here help you make an informed decision. Keep scrolling to discover the pros and cons of each.
Always check the health and safety information before using any heated device. Nearly all the products below have auto shut-off features or timers, which means they won’t accidentally remain on after extended use. We’ve detailed these in the key specifications below.
Hot water bottles: how much do they cost to fill?
Every household will pay a different price to fill up their hot water bottle, based on the wattage of your kettle and the size of your hot water bottle. But to give you a rough idea, we measured how much electricity the GHI’s kettle used to boil at full and half full.
When half full (850ml), the kettle cost 2p to bring to the boil, while boiling a full kettle’s worth of water (1700ml) cost us 4p of electricity.
This assumes you'll only fill up your hot water bottle once, so multiply by the number of times you plan to refill it. Even if you plan on doing this regularly, though, this is undoubtedly one of the cheaper ways to stay warm in winter, especially if you already have a kettle and a hot water bottle at home.
Heat pads: what are they and should you buy one?
If you’d like more customisable warmth than a hot water bottle can provide, consider heat pads as an alternative. Often used to ease stomach cramps or help with muscle and back aches, these flat rectangular pads can be placed over your body (or you can hug them on the sofa) to provide targeted warmth.
Like electric blankets, they need to be plugged into mains electricity, but they’re more compact, which makes them easier to move from room to room and store away. They don't run for as long as electric blankets, though; we’ve detailed their auto shut-off times below.
Our experts tried four different heat pads and calculated how much they cost to run. Here’s their verdict.
Intelliheat Heat Pad
Key specifications
Energy consumption: 0.09 kwh = 2p for 3 hours of use
Power source: Mains operated
Temperature settings: 5
Timer: Yes – auto shut-off after 3 hours
Machine washable: Yes
Soft Cosy Heat Pad
Key specifications
Energy consumption: 0.04 kwh = 1p for 1 and a half hours of use
Power source: Mains operated
Temperature settings: 3
Timer: Yes – auto shut-off after 1 and a half hours
Machine washable: Yes
Big Hug XL
Key specifications
Energy consumption: 0.04 kwh = 1p for 1 three hours recharging
Power source: Rechargeable battery
Temperature settings: 3
Timer: Yes
Machine washable: Yes
Heat Pad
Key specifications
Energy consumption: 0.07 kwh = 2p for 1 and a half hours of use
Power source: Mains operated
Temperature settings: 6
Timer: Yes – auto shut-off after 1 and a half hours
Machine washable: Yes
Electric blankets: are they worth investing in?
Whether you want help staying warm at night or when you're snuggled on the sofa, an electric blanket offers customisable warmth. We found them energy efficient, too; one night's use only costs a few pence. Plus, with helpful timers and auto shut-off settings, there are more safety features on offer these days.
To learn all about the different types available, read our round-up of the best electric blankets. Otherwise, if you’re ready to buy, these are the GHI’s top picks:
Faux Fur Heated Throw
Key specifications
Energy consumption: 4p for three hours
Power source: Mains operated
Temperature settings: 9
Timer: Yes
Machine washable: Yes
Komfort 2 in 1 Fleecy Heated Mattress Topper and Electric Blanket
Key specifications
Energy consumption: 4p for eight hours of use
Power source: Mains operated
Temperature settings: 6
Timer: Yes
Machine washable: Yes
HD75UK Electric Throw
Key specifications
Energy consumption: 3p for 3 hours of use
Power source: Mains operated
Temperature settings: 6
Timer: Yes
Machine washable: Yes
Teddy Comfort Control Electric Blanket
Key specifications
Energy consumption: 4p for eight hours
Power source: Mains operated
Temperature settings: 3
Timer: No but includes overheat protection
Machine washable: Yes
Heated clothing: does it really keep you warm?
The Good Housekeeping Institute experts also tested a range of heated clothes. Overall, our findings were positive – the products were indeed warming, without draining too much electricity.
Currently, there are no wearable blankets on our list, but we test them just like we’d test electric blankets, and also consider how comfortable they are to wear.
Given their shape, slippers were more of a challenge, so we used our heat probes to assess how quickly they heated up and kept their warmth without feet inside them. Then, of course, our experts also considered their comfort.
Heatable Slippers with French Lavender
Key specifications
Power source: Heated in the microwave
Energy consumption: Doesn't directly consume energy but based on the heating instructions (90 seconds at 800W), our microwave used less than 1p of electricity
Temperature settings: N/A
Timer: N/A
Machine washable: No – clean with a damp sponge and air dry
Cosy Foot Warmer FW20UK
Key specifications
Power source: Mains operated
Energy consumption: 0.04kwh = 1p for 1 and a half hours of use
Temperature settings: 3
Timer: Yes – auto shut-off after 1 and a half hours
Machine washable: Yes – lining is removable and washable
Revive Me Comfy Foot Warmer
Key specifications
Power source: Mains operated
Energy consumption: 0.03 kwh = less than 1p for 3 half hours of use
Temperature settings: 5
Timer: Yes – auto shut-off after 3 hours
Machine washable: Yes
Are there any other ways to stay warm at home?
You don't have to rely on heated products; there are plenty of other simple changes you can make to keep warm, without turning up the heating.
“Reducing heat loss throughout your home is one of the best ways to keep warm while using less heating,” says Joanna. “Quick and easy actions include adding rugs (especially where there are gaps in floorboards), keeping internal doors closed and using draught excluders.” If you have an open chimney, a chimney draught excluder may also help.
If you feel the cold at night, closing curtains will also help keep in the heat, as long as they aren’t blocking any radiators. Pick up one of our tried and tested best winter duvets, too – with higher togs, they're designed to keep you cosy on cold nights.
Then of course, there are good old fashioned blankets, which are great for layering up. These are the best ones we’ve tried in the lab for under £40:
Snugsie Giant Blanket
Fleece Blanket
Cosy Chenille Throw 130x180cm
Plush Fleece Throw
Lastly, remember to check your thermostat. “Make sure it's set to the lowest comfortable temperature – the World Health Organisation advises this is usually between 18°C and 21°C,” says Joanna.
Installing a full set of heating controls should also help. “They allow you to heat only the rooms you’re using for the time you’re using them, reducing waste and saving you money,” she adds.
How we test heated products
Reviewing heated products provides a fun challenge for our expert testers because they’re all so different. But for everything that has a plug, we measure energy consumption and temperature distribution.
For wearables, our experts try them on, assessing comfort and fit, as well as how the warmth spreads throughout.
Whatever the product, ultimately, we want to know that they’re snuggly, effective and efficient.
Why should you trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
We take testing heated products very seriously at the GHI – whether that’s electric blankets or electric heaters. Our team, headed up by homes testing manager Blossom Boothroyd, checks exactly how much each product costs to run, as well as making sure their warmth is evenly distributed and that it reaches every last corner.
Hannah Mendelsohn, our homes editor, has written about hundreds of products. She looks out for the best new launches to try, ensuring we rigorously review each one to help you in your quest for a cosier home. She also translates the test results into clear, informative reviews.
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