Silentnight self-heating blanket offers a cosy, cost-effective solution to rising energy bills

Shoppers have praised the Heat Genie Self-Heating Giant Blanket for being 'light and so cosy'

As Ofgem's new price cap came into effect earlier this week, the average household's energy bills were expected to rise by nearly £150. With this in mind, consumers have been seeking cost-effective ways to stay warm this winter without turning on the heating.

Silentnight's Heat Genie Self-Heating Giant Blanket is a perfect alternative to an electric blanket — after the initial £37.99 purchase, it costs nothing to run. Described as 'comfortable and cosy,' the blanket features a heat-reflecting foil layer that bounces your body heat back onto you, providing an extra layer of warmth without the need for electricity.

Available from Amazon or Sleepy People, the plush fabric exterior and Sherpa fleece interior ensure you won't feel the foiled layer. Its super-sized dimensions (180cm x 240cm) also make it large enough for more than one person to snuggle under.

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Ideal for curling up on the sofa, keeping warm in bed on cold nights, or draping over your lap if you work from home, the Silentnight blanket is entirely machine washable, ensuring it stays fresh throughout the season. This feature is particularly useful for households with children or pets, reports Devon Live.

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Shoppers have been raving about this design, with one customer saying: "The blanket is good quality. The instructions say wash before use, and it looks good on my bed. It is comfortable and warm to sleep in with nothing else on the bed. As the weather gets colder, I may have to put additional sheets on, but for now, all is good."

Another satisfied buyer commented: "Brilliant. I find the plug-in blankets too big and a bit heavy. This is huge but light and so cosy. It keeps you warm but not overheated. I bought one for my mum as well, as she was worried about leaving blankets plugged in and tripping over leads. She absolutely loves this blanket and finds it much more cosy and cuddly than the others I have bought for her in the past."

While the blanket's three-layer construction is designed to retain heat, it doesn't offer the same temperature control as an electric blanket. For comparison, a Silentnight Electric Blanket, available on Amazon for £41.99, boasts three heat settings and a sliding dial for control, plus it heats up faster than the self-heating option.

Alternatively, Silentnight's Heat Genie Self-Heating Mattress Topper, in double size, is available at Boots for £ 37.99. Functioning similarly to the self-heating blanket, customers have praised it for its ability to 'keep you warm as toast all night' and its 'easy to fit' nature.

Another option could be donning a blanket hoodie — Oodie has slashed prices on several of its original styles by £20 in a quick sale ahead of the autumn cold. You can check out the collection here.