With rising energy bills, Zahna Eklund tested CosyHeats slipper boots with microwavable wheat bags to see if they could help stay warm without turning on the heating
With energy prices continuing to soar, many Brits have had to reconsider their use of household heating.
After sharp increases in energy bills 54% in April 2022 and another 27% rise in October 2022 households were left facing the dilemma of staying warm without running up costs. Money-saving expert Martin Lewis, a strong advocate of “heating the human, not the home,” recently recommended cosy clothing, particularly slippers, as a way to reduce heating costs.
Taking Martin’s advice to heart, Mirror journalist Zahna Eklund decided to test the CosyHeats slipper boots designed to provide warmth without the need to turn on the heating. The boot slippers, which set her back £34.99, feature a removable wheat bag that can be heated in the microwave and inserted into the sole for extra warmth. The idea is to keep the human warm so the heating doesn’t have to be switched on. The shoes have reduced in cost significantly since 2022, currently £9.99 on Red Foot Shoes but are currently out of stock.
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When Zahna first tested the slippers in November 2022, the weather was still relatively mild, so she didn’t immediately need to use the wheat bags feature. However, as the cold weather set in, the heated wheat bags became useful. The slippers are easy to use: simply remove the wheat bag from them and microwave for 30 seconds, then enjoy the warmth.
While Zahna found the slippers effective, she did encounter a small issue with the heating process. The instructions suggest microwaving the wheat bags for 30 seconds, but Zahna found the bags were only lukewarm after this time. She decided to microwave the bags for an additional 20 seconds, which provided better warmth. She also found that the wheat bags didn’t last as long as expected, though; they stayed warm for around 3 to 4 hours, rather than the 8 hours suggested.
One of the main reasons Zahna decided to try the CosyHeats slipper boots was to see if they could provide a cost-effective alternative to central heating. According to sust-it.net, heating the wheat bags in an 800w microwave for one minute costs less than 3p. In contrast, running a gas boiler for central heating costs around £1.68 per hour, according to Check-a-Trade.
If Zahna used the slippers daily, it would cost just 15p a month to heat the wheat bags. Adding the £34.99 price of the slippers brings the total cost to £35.14. In comparison, running central heating for just 21 hours would cost the same amount, meaning the slippers provide a much cheaper option for staying warm.
Zahna found that the CosyHeats slipper boots are a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to reduce their energy consumption while staying warm. While the slippers don’t heat the entire house, they provide an ideal solution for keeping feet warm in one room, such as when working or relaxing. By warming just your feet, these slippers offer a simple way to reduce your reliance on central heating and save money in the process.
