Major energy firm is giving customers free electric blankets this winter

A major energy firm is giving out free electric blankets to keep its customers warm this winter as bills continue to soar.

With the average household now facing annual energy bills of £2,500, Octopus Energy has decided to hand out 10,000 free blankets to customers who need them the most.

Research by the energy firm shows that the typical home could save as much as £300 by using an electric blanket to keep warm, rather than heating the whole house.

Heating a whole home can cost around £4 a day, while an energy-efficient electric blanket can heat a person for just 2-4p an hour.

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This means an electric blanket is a vastly more cost-effective way to stay warm, particularly for people with mobility issues and disabilities.

Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, chief product officer at Octopus Energy, said: “Octopus is doing everything we can to help customers through the crisis.

“Our electric blankets scheme was just one of the measures we’ve taken to help. And given the overwhelmingly positive feedback last year, we knew we only had one option – to make it even bigger.

“Heating an individual rather than a whole home can save hundreds off a customer’s bill, and at times that we know how much people are struggling, we hope these blankets can be a real difference maker.”

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Octopus Energy has 10,000 electric blankets worth £40 each to give away, and will be prioritising those who are considered vulnerable or in the biggest need.

This is likely to include elderly people, or those with specific medical conditions which make them immobile, very unwell, or feel cold.

For more information on the scheme and to apply for a free electric blanket, visit the Octopus Energy website.