With the temperature starting to plummet and the cost of living going up, lots of Brits are looking for ways to save money on their heating bills - myself included. While nobody should ever have to worry they can't afford to keep warm, it's a sad truth many of us won't be able to reach for the thermostat without hesitation this winter.
It is for this reason Mirror writers have been trying and testing different ways to cut back on our energy usage, and thinking about how we can keep warm for less. With this in mind, I decided to take some bargain thermals for a spin, in the hope wearing more layers could make a significant difference.
Having noticed two products with glowing reviews, I opted to put Decathlon's cheapest Ski Base Layers to the test. Retailing at £5.99 for the top and £5.99 for the trousers, the total set cost a respectable £11.98, and given they are "designed for low intensity skiers", I had high hopes they'd be a welcome addition to my snow-free home. After all, you'd expect the thermals would be able to handle both environments.
And I'm pleased to report both garments lived up to my expectations, although I had a clear favourite.
Starting in the most obvious location, I tried on the set together in my home. But I also wore the thermals on a trip to my local park, and my local supermarket's freezer aisle for good measure.
My hometown enjoys milder weather than some parts of the UK at this time of the year, but there was a noticeable chill in the air on the first day I tested my new thermals. Paired with culottes, a thin jumper, and a denim jacket - which gives you a sense of the weather on the day - I instantly felt warm when I dressed, and much warmer than usual. Result!
The stretchy knit was very comfortable to wear, and the brushed interior felt soft against my skin. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a luxury product, but it has definitely been designed with functionality in mind.
Not too tight, but not too loose, both the top and bottom base layer felt cosy but not so restrictive that I'd feel irritated by them throughout the day, and I found both items were true to size.
But I did find the length of the trousers a little off when I set off on my walk to the park. At 5'11 I'm taller than the average woman - the thermals are sold separately for men and women - but I noticed a similar 3/4 length fit on the model on the website. It is for this reason, I much preferred the top.
But then again, with such a low-priced item you don't necessarily expect a range of length options, and the trousers certainly did their job. I would just love them a little more if I could buy a full length pair.
Exposed ankles aside - a problem that could be easily remedied by adding a longer layer over the trousers - I barely noticed my thermals under my outdoor clothes, as I enjoyed my local park with my dog.
And later at the supermarket, they would not have been noticeable to any of my fellow shoppers, as the snug fit meant they tucked away easily under my clothes - a likely plus for any fashionistas. Without the thermals, I would have been left wishing I'd worn my coat rather than a jacket, so they definitely did the job.
By the time I returned home, I was firmly convinced I had made a worthwhile purchase. Lounging around for the evening, I did not think to reach for the thermostat once. I didn't need to turn my heating on at all during the day or evening, even though I've noticed the nights getting colder by the day.
So, will they save me money in the long run? Well, in my home of three, our latest gas and electricity bill cost £205 - not far different to the average price of £208.32 for a household of the same size, according to British Gas.
But I think the key factor is how early in the year you switch on your heating. If everyone in my house had these thermals, I doubt we would have needed to turn the heating on to warm ourselves up at all in October. This could have equated to a saving of around £6 a day.
However, a heating expert has previously advised starting to warm your radiators from October 1 onward to avoid unnecessary heating issues in later months, with one or two hours of low temperature usage being enough to "warm up" the system - which I'd say is enough the keep the occupants warm too.
So, I think the real difference will come in November, when we might feel tempted to warm the house for longer or at higher temperatures each day. But of course, the rest of my family would need to purchase their own thermals first. My investment could be made back within a week with just one set, but forking out for the whole family would take longer to break even before saving money.
However, I do think we'd notice the difference going into November and beyond, making the price worth paying.
While it is hard to predict just how well the thermals work, since I haven't yet tested them in the depths of winter, I think you'd still feel most comfortable with your heating on in the coldest months. But I was nonetheless impressed by just how warm they felt and reckon they will help wearers to reduce their central heating usage.
And I'm not the only one who liked the thermals. Between them, the top and trousers have over 1400 five star reviews on the Decathlon website. The top is certainly the more popular item, with hundreds more reviews than the bottoms, but both perform well in ratings and reviews.
One reviewer said: "This is a great product for the money. It’s a bargain. Don’t waste money on more expensive options. This keeps you warm and is comfortable to wear either on its own or under other garments."
A second added: "Great base layer, super warm and not too bulky! Love it, can’t wait to get the leggings when they’re back in stock!" And another agreed: "Got the pants as well I would recommend these to anyone, extremely comfortable and warm."
Do you have any recommendations for products that can help warm your home? Email amber.oconnor@reachplc.com
