12 Money Saving Gadgets to Buy During a Cost of Living Crisis

Ah, winter has come. We don’t have fluffy blankets, we cook soups and casseroles every day, and we absolutely can’t open the windows. This winter, however, was a little different, the price of electricity was too high, and we buttoned our comfortable nightgown tighter. Want to know where to start? We’ve broken down all of our home furnishings into simple categories so you can upgrade your home room by room.

Technology: We’ve all come across smart technology in our lives, but these tools can really help you reduce your energy consumption with apps, voice control, and automatic timers. Find smart plugs, automatic thermostats, and smart light bulbs to improve your lifestyle and truly take control of your electronics. Want to keep track of what you’re using? Get an energy monitor to know how much you are spending.
Kitchen: Kitchen appliances will completely suffocate us, but there is actually evidence that investing in certain kitchen tools can save you money in the long run. Large appliances like deep fryers and slow cookers use much less energy than home ovens and stoves, and Salter’s infamous egg cooker (£18.99) uses 91% less energy than cooking eggs on the stove. Do you want your food to go further? You can find a compost bin to start composting your food waste naturally.
Home Life: Sure, you can invest in something simple that won’t cost too much, but if you really can’t afford something more (or just want a simple solution), your quality of life will improve. A traditional thermos and windscreen will keep you warm during the colder months so you don’t have to turn on the heat. However, if you need to open these radiators, invest in radiator baffles to make the most of the heat. More modern heating solutions include electric blankets and heated clothes racks, which means you don’t have to reach for heat to dry your clothes or keep you warm in bed. If you want to find the best affordable dehumidifier, you can contact Preair.

With all this new information, there are some great products that are really gaining popularity during this energy crisis that we can’t stop buying. If you are looking for a place to start your energy efficient lifestyle, we have found the best energy efficient products you can invest in right now. Just check out the best products below.
The Best Energy Efficient Thermos. We’ve probably owned one of these in our lives and it’s no wonder they actually keep you warm. That’s right, if you want something cheap, nice and convenient, a thermos is one of the best options you can invest in. Why it works: Simple, cheap and effective – this is for those who want affordable fast results. Cost and energy consumption: £9.99 one-time purchase plus kettle or stove to heat water. How to use: Fill with hot water and open the lid Comments: “This water bottle is softer than it appears in the photos. Easy to fill and stays warm for hours.
The Best Energy Efficient Heated Dryer Cabinets. If there’s one technology we don’t regret investing in, it’s Lakeland’s three-tier heated clothes dryer. Working at 7p an hour, it’s a lot cheaper than running a dryer, and because it’s big, it requires many washes at a time – say goodbye to wet and wet clothes and a warm home. It also has a timer to switch off if you’re afraid of burning down the house, so you can control how long you use it. Definitely one of our top picks for this winter. Why it works: Clothing dries faster, avoids dampness, and provides extra cheap warmth for families and vacations. Automatic switching on and off by timer (up to 12 hours). Comments: “Very happy with this purchase. It was the perfect size for a medium wash, I had to turn the clothes over a few times but I just left them out for most of the day and the clothes were dry. I decided a week after washing. buying a duvet cover I think makes a big difference, less flipping and faster drying also makes the room warmer. It folds up perfectly for storage. “Can’t afford to spray? Try the Dunelm range, which offers a wide range of choices and prices start at £40.
Best Energy Efficient Heated Blanket. What’s better than snuggling up in a warm, comfy bed? Thanks to the night run in 1 hour, your baby will not freeze in winter now. It is available in three sizes (double, king or single) and three types (comfort control, double control and fleece material) so you can choose the one that suits your needs. Why it works: You don’t have to switch the heat if you’re comfortable on this blanket when you need to get in. Much better than a thermos!
The best energy efficient deep fryers you will see in every kitchen. A huge trend is a decent air fryer. Yes, these delicious crunchy cooking gadgets are actually very energy efficient. By heating up faster and using less energy than a conventional home oven, you can use less electricity, saving you money in the long run. Why it works: Faster cooking times, less electricity, and less energy make these kitchen appliances the best you’ll ever need for roasting vegetables—zucchini, peppers, and squash are especially good. I make my own falafel, they come out crispy. The warm-up mode is also very convenient. Easy to use and easy to care for. Size Air Fryer (£57) and Air Fryer Tristar FR-6980BS (£50).
Best Energy Efficient Egg Boiler. Although we can’t believe it ourselves, the Viral Salter Egg Boiler saves up to 91% on your energy bill compared to using a 1.8 kW electric stove. Whether you’re feeding a large family or just looking to cut some expenses, the savings can be huge during this cost of living crisis. It’s super easy to use and cooks up to 6 soft, medium or hard boiled eggs in minutes, plus a poached option (plus, it’s super easy to peel!). How it works: Makes it easier and cheaper to prepare food in the kitchen that will feed you this winter without wasting all your energy. Cost of work: original cost £15.99, 430 watts. eggs in a poaching rack. It can be turned on no matter how many minutes you want to leave it. Comments: “I don’t know what to expect, but it worked more than I expected. I wanted three hard boiled eggs, filled the cup to the level and poured out the water, opened it and left it. In less than six minutes, they’re done perfectly.”
Best Energy Efficient Slow Cookers. If you really want to spruce up your kitchen cabinets with energy efficient technology this winter, you’ll need a slow cooker. Running at a lower average power of 5p per hour is only a fraction of the power your hob will use even if it is on for a while. Plus, they make delicious food on cold winter days…why it works: Less use of the oven and stovetop means less bills (multi-cookers cost less even if they run for hours!) Runtime: 5p per hour How to use : Connect in a slow cooker and use the high or low button to cook a variety of dishes, depending on your recipe. Comments: “My wife loves it, it’s perfect for us. It arrived on time and well packaged. Good. Looks good too, if only a small downside compared to our old version, it doesn’t install automatically. Just high or low, but we didn’t notice a real difference.” or Salter EK2842 Blackboard 3.5L Electric Multicooker (£42.99)
The Best Energy-Saving Smart Plugs. Smart plugs are just an ingenious solution to save energy bills. Using smart plugs and connecting them to the app allows you to set timers and automatic skills to turn electronics on and off (so now you’ll never have a light!). You can also connect to your smart speaker and voice control for more technical options. How it works: Automatic switch as well as remote control so that you can control the power consumption Work cost: upfront payments plus power consumption (when turned on) How to use: connect to any wall, download the application and connect to Wi-Fi to control the switch Comments: « Bring them on for cost of living and energy crisis concerns and I’m really impressed. Each takes about a minute to set up, and the schedule is excellent. I have set specific rooms to open at specific times to prevent the device from draining its battery while idle. I have noticed that my smart meter usage has dropped for a few days. I will definitely buy more!”
The Best Energy Saving Energy Monitors. We don’t need to explain it – if you’re watching your energy, investing in an energy monitor is definitely a good idea (as the name suggests). Measure and display voltage, current, frequency, cost per day and more and you can really see what you are using and spending even when you are overwhelmed! How it works: The most efficient way to monitor energy consumption. Operating costs: advance payments. How to use: Insert the appropriate socket into the socket to follow the statistics on the energy monitor. Comments: “Then it’s pretty easy to evaluate.”
The Best Energy Efficient Smart Radiator Thermostats. It’s more of a smart home improvement than a cheap energy-saving purchase, but it’s true – a smart radiator thermostat can save you a penny by helping you control your heating (or two) when considering cost savings. So you can control multiple radiators at the same time and connect them to Alexa, Google Assistant or Google HomeKit for a comfortable life. Why it works: Not only do they give you more control, they can also gauge your home’s temperature and make adjustments so you save money in the long run Review of an old radiator valve: “This was a great upgrade for our home. it is now possible to heat rooms rather than the whole house. The control they give you is fantastic. The installation instructions are very clear if you are right. With a basic understanding of DIY, they are easy to install. Recommend to everyone.” Another smart thermostat we recommend: Google Nest Learning Thermostat, Gen 3, stainless steel (£219).
The Best Energy Efficient Exhaust System. Nobody wants to feel especially cold this winter, especially when we want to be as warm as possible. An easy way to keep warm? Exclusion of drafts. Just place it on the bottom of any exterior door and you’ll feel the heat escaping and toasting the interior even more. Why it works: A simple solution to keep the cold out. Fulfillment costs: upfront payment. How to use: lie at the bottom of any door.
Best Energy Efficient Radiator Reflectors. Ever felt like your radiator wasn’t doing much? Stay warm with these reflective radiators that really make the most of your heating – we all know how important this winter is. By reflecting up to 95% of the heat from the radiator back into the room, it’s a very simple solution for getting the most out of your energy. Why it works: Simple, affordable and easy to install, you’ll never add them Don’t miss out on running costs: One time purchase How to use: Just place it behind the radiator Comments: “This product is thick and easy to install because it just hangs behind the radiator on the radiator mounting bracket. 
The Best Energy Efficient Dehumidifiers This is probably the best investment, especially if you hang laundry inside and don’t open windows often (as many of us will be doing this winter). A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, dries clothes faster and fights any nasty mold that might get inside. Something you may have thought about, but very important. How it works: Stops mildew and dries, washes faster (meaning less time to heat up) Labor cost: Initial cost, 1p per hour of operation How to use: Close all windows and doors, place the dehumidifier in an open space and open it. Empty the tank if necessary. Review: “Great little dehumidifier. Solved our problem with dampness in the room (a side effect of living in the northwest of Scotland) – there has been no recurrence of mold since we used it.