Two energy companies are giving customers a free product that could shave £150 off their bills. Octopus Energy and OVO Energy will send out free electric blankets in a bid to 'heat the human, not the home'.

Octopus Energy will hand out 20,000 electric blankets, supplied by Dreamland, to its most vulnerable customers to ensure they stay warm through the cold spells without cranking up the thermostat. It acknowledged many were worried about winter due to energy bills soaring and reduced Winter Fuel Payments and said the giveaway would allow them to stay warm for 'as little as 3p an hour'.

Meanwhile OVO Energy has unveiled a £50million Extra Support Package, which includes free energy-saving products. This includes providing electric throws and mattress toppers.

Energy Bills Soaring: Companies Offer Free Electric Blankets to Keep Warm

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." Octopus said the initiative has proven effective in previous years, with customers seeing their gas bills fall by an average of 20 per cent, resulting in savings of around £150 across three winter months.

OVO said its fund would open October 1 - the same day the new £1,717 price cap from Ofgem kicks in and takes hold. David Buttress, CEO of OVO, said: “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.”

The free energy saving products could help customers to cut costs and keep warm, the energy firms - which are rivalled by the likes of British Gas, EDF and E On Next - say.

Octopus Energy Expands Electric Blanket Giveaway

Octopus Energy is stepping up to offer relief with their expanded electric blanket giveaway. This year, the company is distributing an additional 20,000 free electric blankets to help their most vulnerable customers stay warm without cranking up the thermostat.

With energy bills soaring and Winter Fuel Payments being reduced, this initiative is a lifeline for many. And OVO Energy has unveiled a £50million Extra Support Package, which includes free energy-saving products such as electric throws and mattress toppers.

How Electric Blankets Can Help

The initiative has proven effective, with previous recipients seeing their gas bills fall by an average of 20 per cent, resulting in savings of around £150 across three winter months. At Octopus, the electric blankets are supplied by Dreamland, a company known for its innovative warming technology for over 50 years.

OVO, meanwhile, says its fund will open October 1 - the same day the new £1717 price cap from Ofgem kicks in and takes hold. Electric blankets can be a cheaper way of keeping warm instead of relying on central heating and they cost just 3p per hour on average to run.

They can usually cost anything from £30 all the way up to £100. David Buttress, CEO of OVO, said: “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.”

A Warm Welcome to Winter

The offer of free electric blankets is a welcome relief for many struggling to afford heating their homes this winter. The initiative is a testament to the growing awareness of the energy crisis and the need for innovative solutions to help those most affected. It remains to be seen whether this will be enough to ease the pressure on households, but it is a step in the right direction.