State pensioners urged to use 3p item to stay warm after losing Winter Fuel Payment

State pensioners who've lost their £300 Winter Fuel Allowance can helpfully keep themselves warm for just 3p per hour. An item that costs just 3p an hour to use has gone viral on TikTok, after consumer group Which? championed the gadgets.

@whichuk claimed heated throws are "having a moment" and explained how they are "great value", as some can be snapped up for as little as £55. The presenter said: "They cost just 3p per hour to run on their highest heat setting. Meanwhile, heating your home costs around £1.68 per hour.

"So, if you have your heating on for eight hours, you're paying around £13 a day. So this means if you were to use a £60 throw for three hours a day, instead of your central heating, it could theoretically pay for itself in less than two weeks."

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In reply, one person said: "Paid £30 for my blanket, 1p per hour to run." Another wrote: "I love mine. Bought from a reputable supplier." A third added: "And never get up from the couch again." Another said: "I bought one and it broke."

And another wrote back, typing: "£55 is a lot. I'd rather use a hot water bottle." Which? explained: "We use precise temperature measurements taken with a thermocouple to help you steer clear of the models that barely heat up after 20 minutes, and point you towards those that will be nice and toasty just as the kettle boils.

"It's also worth knowing that claimed running costs for electric blankets and heated throws are usually based on the blanket's lowest power setting. Our repeated testing over the years has found that this setting hardly heats the blankets up at all. That's why our reviews give you the running costs measured from each blanket and throw's highest setting."