Octopus and OVO Energy giving out free item to help customers save £150 on bills
The two energy giants are seeking to help customers who are in need by giving away an item that costs as little as '3p an hour' to use
by James Rodger, Lauren Haughey · NottinghamshireLiveOctopus Energy and OVO Energy, rivals to other energy giants such as British Gas and EDF, are providing free electric blankets to their customers. The firms say these energy-saving items could help consumers save money and stay cosy.
This year, Octopus Energy is set to distribute 20,000 blankets to its most at-risk customers. Their main aim is to provide comfort without the need to increase the heating.
Meanwhile, OVO Energy has announced a £50million Extra Support Package, encompassing free energy-efficient goods like electric throws and mattress toppers. The effort comes as the UK is bracing for the impact of Ofgem's new energy price cap.
From tomorrow (October 1) to December 31, a typical household paying by Direct Debit and using electricity and gas will see bills go up to '£1,717 per year'. Mario Lupori, Octopus Energy Group's director, said the blankets often cost as little as '3p an hour'.
"We know many people are worried about the costs of heating their homes over winter," he said, according to BirminghamLive. "An electric blanket means you heat the human, not the home - staying warm for as little as 3p an hour."
The success of this effort is evident, as recipients in previous years claim their gas bills dropped by an average of 20%. This saw them save around £150 across three winter months.
Dreamland, renowned for more than half a century for its cutting-edge warming products, is the supplier behind Octopus's electric blankets. OVO has also announced that its support will be available on October 1, coinciding with the new energy price cap.
OVO's CEO David Buttress commented: "We know it’s on us to ensure our customers are supported through the winter months. That’s why our winter support scheme is bigger than ever this year with £50million of funds.
"But this isn’t a long-term solution. We need to make the energy system work better for everyone. That starts with targeted support in the form of a social tariff so we’re not plugging the gaps – no one can be, or no one needs to be left behind."
How can I apply for an electric blanket?
OVO Energy customers will be given the option to apply for the electric blanket scheme online from October 1. It's understood this application process will take as little as five minutes.
Meanwhile, Octopus Energy customers are encouraged to head to the Paylink portal, where you can let the firm know that you're struggling while providing financial details. Importantly, both OVO Energy and Octopus Energy are providing just one electric blanket per household.
What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below