With winter on the horizon and energy bills still weighing heavily on UK households, some energy suppliers are taking an alternative approach to keeping people warm. Both Octopus Energy and OVO Energy have announced that they will be providing free electric blankets to vulnerable customers this winter in a bid to help cut heating costs.
The idea is simple: instead of heating an entire home, households can use low-cost electric blankets to stay warm where it matters most. The blankets typically cost just two to four pence per hour to run, offering a practical and energy-efficient solution at a time when heating bills remain stubbornly high.
Octopus Energy revealed that the initiative has already made a measurable impact, with some participating households saving between ten and twenty per cent on their energy bills — amounting to as much as £300 over the course of a year. OVO Energy is also following suit, prioritising those most at risk from cold weather, including elderly residents, people with limited mobility, and customers with medical conditions that make them vulnerable to low temperatures.
The scheme isn’t open to everyone. Customers must meet specific eligibility criteria set out by each supplier, typically based on financial hardship or health needs. Each qualifying household is eligible for one blanket, and the number of available units is limited. For example, Octopus has allocated around 10,000 blankets to distribute this year.
The move comes amid rising concerns about household energy debt, which has reached record levels in the UK. According to industry data, outstanding energy debts rose to more than £4 billion in September, leaving many families struggling to manage day-to-day living costs.
While the free blanket schemes won’t solve the wider energy crisis, they offer a simple, immediate form of relief for those who need it most. By focusing on small but meaningful ways to keep warm, these initiatives are helping households make it through another challenging winter with a little more comfort and peace of mind.