Stay warm without putting the heating on for less than 1p an hour | Personal Finance | Finance

January 10, 2026 2,090

Brits are being advised to explore some of the most cost-effective ways to keep warm this winter, with certain methods costing under a penny per hour. Specialists have recommended that households look at alternative strategies to combat the chill.

The Money Saving Expert (MSE) website, established by Martin Lewis, has warned that switching on the central heating has become “even more unaffordable” for numerous households following a two per cent tariff increase on October 1 last year. Among its recommendations was the strategy of “heating the human not the home“.

Speaking about the guidance, Martin Lewis said: “This is a guide I really wish we needn’t be publishing. The reason I asked Sarah and the team to put this together is due to my overflowing email bag of desperation from people who can’t afford their energy bills. So don’t see this as an ‘MSE or Martin says you should do this’. It’s more that we’re trying to help provide some options and information for those that may need to drastically cut down on energy usage due to financial desperation and some help for others who may want to do it out of a commitment to green issues.”

With this in mind, MoneySavingExpert has compiled a list of the most economical products currently on the market to help keep you warm, including electric blankets, heated pads and foot warmers. The website stated: “There are lots of options out there – we can’t vouch for which will keep you warmest, but we have tried to work out which is cheapest to run. Generally we found it was those which could be charged via USB, but these items tend to be smaller, and may only warm part of your body (such as hands or feet).

“It’s also worth factoring in the initial cost, if you don’t already own one of the items below. We’ve given a rough price of the cheapest options we found (at Amazon, Dunelm, Superdrug and so on).

“Of course, the cheapest option may not be the best quality. Do your own research, read reviews before buying and check safety advice before using any of the options below.”

The first recommendation included four USB-rechargeable items. USB-powered gloves, costing £10, amount to less than 1p per hour to operate, or 4p weekly based on five hours of daily charging.

Heated shoe or slipper insoles carry the same £10 cost and running charges. USB hand warmers are equally budget-friendly at less than 1p hourly and 4p per week, though they’re priced slightly higher at £15.

An electric gilet, selling for £50 with battery pack included, likewise costs less than 1p per hour and 4p weekly to operate. The site then examined more conventional heating options.

A microwaveable wheat bag, retailing at roughly £4, requires a minute in the microwave and operates at less than 1p per hour or 15p weekly. However, it retains heat for only 20 to 40 minutes.

The typical hot water bottle (1.5 litre capacity) is priced around £5.50 and costs about 4p per hour or 69p weekly, assuming twice-daily use. The site also recommended reusable hand warmers, costing £5 a pair and less than 1p per hour, or 49p weekly when heated on a gas hob, or £2.15 with electricity.

The MSE team evaluated products that run on mains electricity as well. An electric heat pad, selling for approximately £20, has a running cost of 2p per hour and 92p weekly.

Electric footwarmers and electric blankets have similar operating costs but are priced at £25 and £35 respectively. Regarding electric blankets, they emphasised that fire services generally advise against buying second-hand ones.

MSE also proposed other methods to stay warm: