Dunelm's £25 radiator that 'heats rooms quickly' for just 19p per hour

As the cold weather is nearly upon us and energy bills expected to increase, many UK households are looking for alternatives to stay warm at home

With the chill setting in, households are wrestling with whether to turn on their heating or brave the cold for a bit longer, especially as energy bills are set to rise from October.

As people brace for Ofgem's impending price cap increase, thrifty UK households are scouring the shops for budget-friendly ways to keep cosy. Dunelm offers a small but mighty solution that might not break the bank in the form of its 650W 5 Fin Oil Filled Radiator, now available for just £25.

Customers rave about its ability to heat rooms quickly without the need for central heating. The highly-rated mini radiator from Dunelm features thermostatic controls and has earned an impressive number of five-star reviews.

Read more:I've been testing a Dunelm heated airer for a year and have come to a conclusion

Shoppers testify the gadget has become key in their fight against both the freezing weather and soaring energy costs. One of the top perks is Dunelm's claim that the radiator runs at less than 19p per hour calculated using the current energy prices.

This power is considered ample for heating up most small spaces in the home, offering a more cost-effective alternative to firing up the central heating. In a glowing five-star review, one customer boasted: "This looks such a small unit, you wonder how good it will be - no need to worry! The heat output in an average bedroom, play room, snug or home office is brilliant.", reports the Mirror.

Another customer praised the compact yet effective appliance, saying it "really throws out warmth" and helps to "take the edge off" on cold winter mornings. A third satisfied user commented: "Such an efficient heater for its size. Great extra source of heat and Smart Meter efficient too! " Vicky chimed in with her positive experience: "Light weight great for a small room heats up very quickly easy to move with handle."

One shopper has found a dual purpose for their heater, explaining: "I bought this because of it's small size for the winter months to go under my indoor clothes airer. It does a brilliant job and is just the right size to make a big difference to drying times."

Yet, not all feedback was glowing. One reviewer noted that it "works well but only if you're sitting next to it", while another mentioned a desire for "could do with a longer plug".

A different user expressed disappointment, saying: "Mine won't warm up even the smallest box room. It may, depending on the outside temperature, stop it dropping below zero. It might help in a greenhouse in spring, but I cant see where else it would help."

The 650W 5 Fin Oil Filled Radiator is available to buy for £25 on the Dunelm website. For those needing more power, larger heaters are on offer, though they tend to be pricier to operate. For instance, a £28 Convector Heater is listed with an average running cost of 58p per hour.

Meanwhile, B&Q is offering a Daewoo Oil Filled Portable Radiator for £38.99. Argos also has its Challenge 1kW Oil Filled Radiator on sale for £40, however, Dunelm's option remains the most affordable of the bunch at just £25. This Warmlit Oil Filled Radiator with Adjustable Thermostat from Amazon is another budget-friendly option, priced at £28.99.