HOT STUFF
‘Need these’ scream supermarket shoppers after spotting discounted energy-saving gadget on sale for just £6.50
But buyers should be cautious before plugging them in
SHOPPERS have been rushing to scoop up a popular home gadget scanning for just £6.50 at Asda.
The bargain energy-saving buy comes as energy bills continue to steadily rise.
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The shopper posted their find on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group following a visit to their local store.
The image shows a roll container stuffed with heaters slapped with sale stickers.
"Heaters on sale at Asda," the user wrote.
One of those is the Fine Elements 2000W Flat Fan Heater, which can be yours for just £6.50.
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Equipped with a portable handle, it's easy to pick up and move to cooler areas of your home.
There are pricier alternatives, including the Fine Elements PTC Oscillating Fan Heater, on sale for £19.50.
This fan’s wide angle oscillation provides an even distribution of heat throughout your home.
Shoppers may also wish to fork out for the Fine Elements 1500W Oil Heater for £26.
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For this one, the variable heat regulator ensures that you stay in control of your own comfort.
According to price comparison site Uswitch, the average household uses a plug-in electric heater for around an hour a week.
At the moment it costs around 54p to run a 2kW heater for an hour, so this works out at around £28 a year.
From April, those figures will go down slightly, for example, the cost to run the heater for an hour will go down to 49p and £25.48 a year.
This means that based on those figures, next month you could find using your electric heather slightly more economical, even if it is only pennies.
Of course, this price will vary depending on how long you use the device for.
For example, if you have an electric heater on in the living room and one in the bedroom, this will add £56 a year to your energy bill based on the current prices.
In April that figure will also reduce down slightly to £50.96 a year.
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If you want a cheaper alternative, a log burner might be a savvy solution.
Or you could cosy up under an electric blanket, or try out a quirky wearable hot water bottle.
We have also revealed how to use a thermostat to save on your bills.
Risks to keep in mind
Just because electric heaters might cost you less, there are still risks to consider when using them.
Because the hot bars on electric heaters are exposed, they could easily spark a fire if they come into contact with household items.
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Here are some points to consider first if you've bought an electrical heater and plan to use it:
- It should be on a level surface - you don't want it to be knocked over or fall off
- Keep it well away from flammable objects like paper, furniture or curtains
- Never use it to dry your clothes
- Don't leave it unattended for long periods of time, especially when you're asleep
- You should never power it from an extension lead – they can overheat and start a fire fast
- Always check your heater for damage and deterioration - do not use it if it's not in good condition
- Make sure you buy from manufacturers or retailers that you know and trust - second-hand heaters could be faulty
- Double check your appliance is registered and hasn't been recalled
- Have somebody check your smoke alarm or make sure you know it's working - it's imperative to detect anything that goes wrong about the house
Five energy saving tips that help cut bills
Reduce flow rate on your boiler
Boilers have a flow temperature - which if you tweak could save up to £100.
According to This is Money, lowering the rate from 80C to 60C saves nine per cent of total gas use.
Or £112 for the average home.
Draught-proofing
You can draught-proof your home and save money on heating.
Sealing up any gaps in your property will prevent heat from escaping.
Foam strips are easily fitted to windows, doors and floorboards.
The small change could save you £30 a year on your energy bills.
Thermostatic radiator valves
The dials on the side of your radiator determine the amount of heat let out.
Making sure they're set to only a level you need them at to heat the room could save money.
Some energy firms suggest using the dials could cut energy use by up to 40 per cent.
Use appliances when they're full
You should only use household appliances when they're full.
Washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers consume most of the energy in the home.
To make sure you're using them as efficiently as possible, you should only use them once they are filled.
It's also recommended to wash your clothes on 30C heat only.
Insulating your property
What might be more of a higher cost to begin with could massively benefit you in the long run.
Installing insulation can really help save money as the harsh weather sets in.
However it's worth checking with an expert first how much you would save before forking out.
There are a number of heat-saving myths that Brits are being warned to avoid when trying to save.
One is putting foil behind radiators to save energy - which should be avoided because it oxidises over time, making it almost useless at saving heat.
This technique should only be done if professional radiator reflective foil is used, which costs around £8 for a four-metre roll at hardware stores such as B&Q
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