Shoppers turn to ‘cosy’ energy-saving gadget that ‘saves money and stops bedtime rows’

With the weather turning cold, pay day feeling like it’s months away and the twice-yearly energy price increase kicking in again many of us are currently doing what we can to reduce our central heating use. But as temperatures drop, there’s nothing worse than trying to sleep when you’re feeling cold. What’s more, the difficulty in making sure everyone sleeps easy is doubled if you share a bedroom with someone who disagrees with your preferred temperature.

Shopping writer Narin Flanders had just this problem, struggling to sleep in the cold while her husband snoozed happily enjoying the cool bed. But, writing in the Mirror , she explained how a recent purchase acted as a ‘gamechanger,’ eliminating disagreements about whether the heating should stay on and reducing usage and saving money in the process. What’s more, with the January sales in full swing the handy gadget can be picked up at bargain prices for anyone keen to keep warm overnight without breaking the bank.

Narin explained: “I am firmly of the belief that when temperatures are regularly going down to below freezing each night we need to leave the radiator on at least the lowest setting to take the chill off the bedroom. However, my husband basically thinks this is like burning twenty pound notes. “Over the years I’ve tried everything from wearing socks and an Oodie in bed (easy to get tangled up in) to full-length hot water bottles (great, but get in the way and don’t last all night).

The bottom line has always been that in one key way we are incompatible – I get very cold and my husband doesn’t like to overheat. “The game changer for me was buying a dual control electric underblanket and that is what has completely changed our sleep routine. As the heating elements under the blanket work independently to each other, my husband is able to resolutely leave his side of the bed cold, while I can sneak off and turn on my side half an hour before bed to make sure I climb into a cosy, snuggly cocoon when the time is right – even if our timed heating has already gone off for the night.

We both sleep soundly and it doesn’t matter if one of you runs hot and the other runs cold. ” In recent years, the cost of living crisis has seen shoppers turn increasingly to gadgets to help reduce heating and energy use with retailers like Dunelm , Lakeland and Amazon seeing increased popularity in items ranging from heated airers and heated throws through to more traditional electric blankets with the post-Christmas sales seeing bargain hunters able to get them for as little as £17. 60 .

Heated underblanket style mattress protectors are one of the newer types of gadgets available and a simple way to get warm in bed without getting tangled in blankets with cables. With prices in the Dunelm sale currently starting at £29 picking one up needn’t break the bank. Looking like a cross between a posh quilted mattress topper and a traditional electric blanket, the underblankets have an elasticated hem to hold them firmly in place on the mattress so there’s no risk of anything pinging off no matter how restless a sleeper you are.

Depending on the brand you pick up, they come with different heat levels meaning the highest levels can be used to give your bed a blast of warmth before you get in while lower levels can be used continuously through the night. The blankets also come with safety features including auto-switch off in case of any overheating for additional reassurance and are also machine washable although, Narin warns, taking the connectors out and adding them back in can be a bit fiddly. If you struggle with sharing a bed with someone who disagrees with your preferred temperature choices, it’s definitely worth paying extra for a two-control version .

Dunelm ‘s best value option currently is the Carmen Fitted Electric Blanket , which starts at £29 and goes up to £49 depending on the size of your bed. The fully machine washable blanket comes with three temperature settings, overheat protection and a fast heat-up mode. Costing around 13p a night to run, it is also guaranteed by the manufacturer for three years.

The blanket has an average of 4. 9 stars out of 5 on its reviews, with shoppers praising it for the generous skirt that runs all the way round and means it sits neatly and securely on the mattress. One happy shopper said they were delighted with the blanket , adding: “It has transformed my comfort and sleep for the better.

” A second added: “The three heat settings are perfect for preheating and the lowest setting can be used when you’re actually in the bed – lovely if you’re getting back into bed with a cuppa on a cold morning. ” Dunelm also sells a premium dual-control Zanussi Electric Heated Mattress Protector , which costs between £44 and £59 and has 4. 7 out of 5 stars.

This blanket has more functionality than the entry-level Carmen version , not only coming with nine different heat settings but also a timer and a feet-only warming function as well as overheat protection. .