Although the sun is still shining, the cold weather has arrived, and many people are turning up the thermostat. However, I've found a way to reduce my reliance on central heating by making a simple change in each bedroom.

I've swapped our regular curtains for thermal ones, and it's had a significant impact on the temperature in each room. Not only do they provide an extra layer of insulation, but the velvet charcoal ones I chose look great and didn't cost the earth.

The smaller kids' bedrooms' curtains cost just £14 a pair, while our bedroom set was £27. You can also get them in a lighter silver colour or a teddy material in cream or grey for a similar price.

I purchased the curtains from the Online Home Shop website, which has received hundreds of five-star reviews praising the price and quality of their products. "Excellent product and value for money and excellent service and excellent quality thank you so much," said one reviewer. While another said: 'Excellent quality goods with low prices. I have had several items and they are all very good quality."

A third reviewer added: "Very good, as described, so very cheap. I have always been so pleased with everything I have purchased." One customer did mention that they dislike having to pay to return items, so it's essential to double-check your measurements before ordering.

This isn't the first product we've tested from OHS that's helped to reduce our heating bills. Their electric blankets are fantastic and their heated hoodies are brilliant for staying warm while only costing a few pence to run from a small powerbank that fits neatly in the pocket.

As soon as you plug it in, you start to feel the elements warming up inside it and there are heated pads on the shoulders, on the lower back and behind the front pocket. There are also three heat settings to choose from. You simply press the power button on the front pocket to switch it from the lowest 'green' temperature, to medium 'blue', up to the highest 'red'.

It's also machine washable - simply pop the hoody in your washing machine on a standard 30-degree cycle. Just remember to remove the powerbank when you do. Other colourways are available in the shorter style, including charcoal, navy and black, and they are all reduced to £20. The grey one with a heart-print design is priced at £29. Standard UK delivery is £3.95.

You can find the curtains and heated hoodies on the OHS website. The charcoal velvet curtains cost from £22.99 a pair, while the cream teddy thermal ones cost from £17.99. Thermal curtains are available from other retailers, including Amazon.

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