I get such cold feet so tried a game-changing device which costs just 2p an hour to run – it got me toasty in 10 minutes
I’VE been known to wear three pairs of socks to try and keep my cold feet warm in the winter.
And it’s even more of a nightmare when you’re trying not to put the heating on too.
But when the temperature drops dramatically outside, as it has done recently, even piling up fuzzy socks doesn’t do the trick.
So I decided to try out a new gadget – one of the latest releases in the self-heating market – that claims to work in just 10 minutes.
It isn’t pricey either, as the Vonhaus Electric Foot Warmer costs £29.99 – although it’s currently on offer for even more reasonable £19.99.
It also won’t add loads to your bill either, as, according to the manufacturers, it costs just 2p an hour to run.
The warmers are also said to have holistic benefits such as improving circulation, helping sleep quality and alleviating foot pain.
My toes felt well and truly toasty after just 10 minutes
Sarah Bull
And as I suffer from psoriatic arthritis – which is particularly bad in the cold weather – I was keen to see if it could actually help with my pain.
So, after settling down at my desk to work from home on a freezing cold, dark morning, I tested out the foot warmer for the first time.
Sliding my feet in, it was instantly comforting thanks to the cosy micro-fleece lining.
It’s this section that’s also removable and washable, if you ever want to give it a quick clean on a 30 degree cycle.
Switching it on, I whacked the temperature straight up to the highest setting – level six.
And within just a few minutes, I started to feel the effects of the device in action, with the chill starting to leave my feet.
After 10 minutes, they started to feel well and truly toasty.
As things heated up, I turned the temperature down – which was easily done thanks to the attached remote control.
But there’s no need to worry if you get so cosy that you forget the warmer is on.
There are overheat and overcurrent protection functions, and it also automatically turns off after 90 minutes.
Once I’d turned the temperature of the warmer down, it was harder to feel the benefit – but that’s perhaps because I started with it on the maximum.
How to save on your energy bills
SWITCHING energy providers can sound like a hassle - but fortunately it's pretty straight forward to change supplier - and save lots of cash.
Shop around – If you’re on an SVT deal you are likely throwing away up to £250 a year. Use a comparion site such as MoneySuperMarket.com, uSwitch or EnergyHelpline.com to see what deals are available to you.
The cheapest deals are usually found online and are fixed deals – meaning you’ll pay a fixed amount usually for 12 months.
Switch – When you’ve found one, all you have to do is contact the new supplier.
It helps to have the following information – which you can find on your bill – to hand to give the new supplier.
- Your postcode
- Name of your existing supplier
- Name of your existing deal and how much you payAn up-to-date meter reading
It will then notify your current supplier and begin the switch.
It should take no longer than three weeks to complete the switch and your supply won’t be interrupted in that time.
I also tested out the warmer in bed on a chilly evening.
But I did find this harder, as it’s shaped like a giant boot you put both feet into, so you have to keep your feet in one position to feel the benefit.
So for someone like me, who takes ages to get comfortable in bed, it’s definitely best kept to underneath the desk.
It would also be an ideal Christmas present for an elderly relative, especially considering how easy it is to use, and with the added benefit of the automatic features.
All in all, I’ll definitely be using it again, and I reckon there will be fights over who gets to pop it on in my house going forward.
A winter must have!