Octopus is handing out item to customers which will cut energy bill by £300

They tend to cost around £60 and Octopus research shows the typical home could save £300 by using an electric blanket to keep warm rather than always heating the whole house.

Octopus Energy is today relaunching its electric blankets scheme - with an extra 20,000 free electric blankets on offer. They tend to cost around £60 and Octopus research shows the typical home could save £300 by using an electric blanket to keep warm rather than always heating the whole house.

Octopus explains: "Our electric blankets scheme is there to support customers most in need, particularly for people with really specific vulnerabilities and medical needs. To make sure the blankets are getting into the right hands, we’ll be targeting those customers and proactively offering one to them. Customers who apply for our OctoAssist will be assessed and offered the support that’ll be most appropriate for them."

Mario Lupori, director at Octopus Energy Group, said: “We know many people are worried about the costs of heating their homes over winter. An electric blanket means you heat the human, not the home – staying warm for as little as 3p an hour. We’ve got 20,000 more blankets this year to give out to our most vulnerable customers and we’re delighted that they will help them stay warm.”

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The energy firm says: "To start the process, create a Paylink budget to see what support is available, and to see if you qualify for financial assistance. If you are struggling with your bills, please do contact us, as there are other ways we can help."

Octopus are offering electric blankets to the most vulnerable homes, it is one electric blanket per household, this is so we can help as many people as possible. "A human will have a look at the health of your account and information you give us during the application process to inform a decision. You'll hear from us in about a week," it says.

Electric blankets cost around 2-4p/hr to run at their maximum setting so are a cost effective way to keep yourself warm. The firm says: "If you can consider buying one yourself, please do – there might be someone else out there who truly can't afford to buy one."