We may not be guaranteed a white Christmas in Britain, but over the next few months we can be assured of some bitterly cold weather. If you're not ready for it, there's every chance it can catch you unaware.
Items such as snow boots and neoprene gloves can be essential investments for the time you'll be spending outdoors, but when it comes to staying warm indoors, you may want to consider a halogen heater.
1. Last December was the coldest in the UK since December 1980, with record low temperatures and heavy snow fall. Many homes found their existing heating to be insufficient for staying warm. If we face another big chill this winter, a halogen heater could help you to keep warm.
2. A halogen heater provides instant heat, so it is beneficial in helping you to warm up when stepping in from the harsh weather outdoors. If your central heating takes a while to come on, a halogen heater can provide the heat you need while you wait.
3. An additional benefit of the instant heat is that you'll no longer need to set timers for, or leave on, the central heating or wall heaters in your home while you're out. This means you'll be saving on your electricity/gas bills.
4. The savings don't end there, with halogen heaters often running at just three pence per hour. This makes them one of the most cost-effective forms of heating available.
5. With different settings for levels of heat, you can decide what amount of warmth you require. That means you can lower your costs by choosing a lower level.
6. The different levels of heat also mean you won't get too warm. Many older boiler systems or radiators can leave homes too hot when left on for too long and too cold when they're switched off. A halogen heater can be set as high or low as you want.
7. They're also completely safe wherever they are in your home, with its moulded, 'cool to touch' casing and buttons.
8. Many workplaces can be cold or become colder at different times of the day. The flexibility of a halogen heater means you'll always have the convenience of turning on instant heat when you need it. Plus, with its low costs, your employers are unlikely to mind.
9. Many of these types of devices oscillate, providing the whole room with heat; unlike stationary heating devices that heat where they point. This can be beneficial if there are a few of you in a room who want to get warm.
10. Because halogen heaters are fairly light, they can be moved easily from room to room. If you're working in the garage for example, you can easily transport the device there and benefit from the warmth.