2 days ago
Forget the hot weather – 3 essential Lidl buys you need to grab this weekend ahead of winter to save on energy bills
LIDL has launched three essential bargains you can use around the home to cut down on energy bills.
The must-have items are available in the budget store from tomorrow, August 14, so whilst you're still in summer-mode, it's time to stock up when you're doing your next shop.
Hot weather may have returned to the UK, but make no mistake – winter is on its way.
And in many homes and families, that means the familiar tussle over how high to turn up the heating, how to get rid of condensation building up on your windows, and how to combat bathroom mould.
Condensation-buster
First up is the Wenko Grey Bathroom Squeegee, which will land in stores tomorrow.
It is a handy gadget that removes water from all smooth surfaces in the bathroom and shower. But more importantly, it removes condensation from wet windows in seconds.
Condensation on windows occurs when warm, moist air inside a house comes into contact with a cold window surface, causing water vapour to turn into liquid droplets.
This is exceptionally common in the UK, especially during the colder months. According to Zehnder UK, 73% of adults in the UK experience condensation on their windows in winter.
As for how condensation can impact your energy bills - it indicates a loss of heat and reduced insulation efficiently, forcing your heating system to work harder to keep the space warm.
Persistent condensation can also lead to other issues, such as mould growing, window frame damage or rot, and damp on walls.
Luckily, Lidl's squeegee comes in an extra large size with a 31.8cm rubber lip and costs just £3.99.
To use it for condensation on windows, simply wake up, open your curtains, run the squeegee down the window, and have an old towel at the base of the window to collect the water droplets. Then crack open your window to make sure the area completely dries for a few minutes.
Mould-preventer
Another great item Lidl is offering in stores tomorrow is the Auriol Black Thermometer and Hygrometer units, which come in packs of three.
These handy gadgets monitor the indoor climate and prevent mould, which can be expensive to remove.
The average cost of removing mould from a single, large room is £220 to £280. However, to have the mould removed from an entire property would likely set you back between £725 and £1,100.
The hygrometer measures indoor humidity and includes a comfort level display, allowing users to adjust the room temperature and save on energy bills.
Lidl is selling a £2.99 product beauty fans are racing to nab - you don't have to wear foundation AND it contains SPF50
They can be wall mounted or free-standing and also come with a magnetic attachment and foldable stand.
Batteries and instructions are included, as is a three-year warranty. And a pack of three of these essential items costs just £4.99.
Purify the air
The final Lidl bargain we're highlighting this week to help you save money on energy bills is both practical and pleasing on the eye.
Air purifying plants do exactly what they say on the tin – purify the air.
This can contribute to energy savings by improving indoor air quality, which can reduce the need for heating and cooling.
As mentioned above, paying a firm to remove mould can be expensive but even a DIY job can cost a lot as expensive and specialist cleaning products are often required.
This can include items such as £20 for chlorine bleach, brushes for £15 and eye protection glasses, which cost up to £10 each.
How to compare prices to get the best deal
Just because something is on offer, or is part of a sale, it doesn't mean it's always a good deal.
There are plenty of comparison websites out there that'll check prices for you - so don't be left paying more than you have to.
Most of them work by comparing the prices across hundreds of retailers.
Here are some that we recommend:
Google Shopping is a tool that lets users search for and compare prices for products across the web. Simply type in keywords, or a product number, to bring up search results.
Price Spy logs the history of how much something costs from over 3,000 different retailers, including Argos, Amazon, eBay and the supermarkets. Once you select an individual product you can quickly compare which stores have the best price and which have it in stock.
Idealo is another website that lets you compare prices between retailers. All shoppers need to do is search for the item they need and the website will rank them from the cheapest to the most expensive one.
CamelCamelCamel only works on goods being sold on Amazon. To use it, type in the URL of the product you want to check the price of.
Purifying the air not only protects the property from damage but also significantly reduces respiratory health risks.
From tomorrow, the budget store will be offering a selection of the plants from just £3.99 each.
The plants come in 12cm pots and range in height from 12cm to 35cm.
Stock on these essential bargains may vary depending on your local branch so it's worth giving them a quick call before making the trip.
