Retailers say air fryers, slippers, and electric blankets are booming in popularity this winter as the energy crisis hits UK homes

Natural gas prices soared worldwide after Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in late February and restricted supplies to Europe.

Consumers in the UK are seeing their bills for natural gas and electricity increase by 80% — that's an average of £3,549 ($4,200) a year, according to industry regulator Ofgem.

Ofgem attributed the sky-high energy bills to "an aggressive economic act by the Russian state."

Source: Met Office.

Sales of air fryers, which circulate hot air inside to cook food, have jumped since the energy crisis hit because they use less energy than ovens — a saving grace when trying to reduce bills.

Research from energy supplier Utilita shows that an electric oven costs more than £315 a year, whereas an air fryer costs around £53.

Tesco, Britain's biggest grocer, said in October sales of air fryers have skyrocketed by 200% year-on-year as customer look for more energy-efficient options.

Noel Jackson, Tesco's home electricals category manager, told Insider in a statement: "We've been blown away by just how popular air fryers are proving with our customers — so much so that we've ordered even more of them to cope with demand in the run-up to Christmas."

Tesco will receive an extra 40,000 air fryers before Christmas because of the demand, it added.

Sky News reported that price comparison website PriceRunner said sales of some air fryers were up 2,000% since the summer.

"As the nights draw in and the weather gets colder, our customers are looking for ways to keep cosy without breaking the bank," Kate Davis, Tesco's buying manager for home textiles, said in a statement to Insider. "We've seen a 500% rise in sales of electric blankets compared to this time last year, as customers look to keep warm at the touch of the button."

Lakeland, a British kitchenware chain, told Insider sales of its heated textiles, including heated throws, were up 800% year-on-year.

Lakeland has always sold heated mattress protectors and throws, but this was the most demand it has ever seen, a spokesperson said. They partly attributed the demand to people trying to find savings during the cost-of-living crisis.

"They're a great way to heat yourself instead of your full house, with lots of the lines dipping out of stock," the spokesperson said.

John Lewis, one of Britain's best-known high-street retailers, has noticed various items fly off the shelves as the energy crisis sets in.

Rosie Chalk, a home buyer for John Lewis, told Insider that sales of hot water bottles are up 300% compared with this time last year.

"Customers look for alternative ways to keep warm and save money," she added.

John Lewis said sales of slippers in its in-house line "Anyday" were up more than 50% compared to this time in 2021.

Using draught excluders could save homeowners up to £125 a year on energy bills, according to research from The Energy Saving Trust.

Next, a British retailer, said it has seen searches for draught excluders increase more than 143% since the start of December.

A spokesperson for Next told Insider the high demand was likely because of "the continued low temperatures across the UK, as households look to preserve heat indoors."