Three major energy suppliers handing out tens of thousands of free energy-saving gadgets worth up to £70 this winter
THREE major energy suppliers are giving out tens of thousands of energy-saving devices to households this winter.
Energy bills have risen for millions of households and winter fuel payments restricted to those on benefits.
But there is a host of help at hand if you’re struggling to cover bills.
Octopus Energy, OVO Energy and EDF have all launched multi-million pound schemes offering free energy-saving gadgets to households in need.
From air fryers, to electric blankets and mattress toppers, here is everything you might be eligible for.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy is offering 20,000 electric blankets in total to customers in need this winter.
One of the UK’s largest energy firms has already distributed over 60,000 since January 2022 through its £30million Octo Assist Fund.
Octopus said customers with an electric blanket have saved an average £150 on their combined gas and electricity bills in previous winters.
The electric blankets are open to all customers, however Octopus said it is prioritising those in “particular circumstances”.
This includes those that are medically vulnerable, the elderly of people living alone.
The blankets provided to customers are made by Dreamland and usually cost £69.99 new.
To apply for an electric blanket, visit: http://octopusenergy/blog/octo-assist.
OVO Energy
OVO Energy has launched a £50million package of support for struggling customers.
Applications for the fund opened on October 1 with households eligible for payment holidays and direct debit reductions.
But some may be eligible for free energy-saving gadgets including electric throws and mattress toppers.
What you are entitled to depends on your personal circumstances although you do have to be an OVO Energy customer.
Find out if you’re eligible for help via https://www.ovoenergy.com/extra-support
EDF
EDF is pumping £29million into a range of support for hard-up households this winter.
Customers can get debt arrears wiped and free energy-saving gadgets such as air fryers, kettles and slow cookers.
EDF said it will replace any broken or in poor working order appliances with energy-efficient ones.
But not everyone qualifies for help. EDF said its team will identify eligible customers and refer them on for extra support.
You can find out more and apply via https://www.edfenergy.com/energywise/how-edf-are-supporting-their-customers-through-uks-cost-living-crisis
What other help is on offer
If you’re not eligible for free energy-saving gadgets through Octopus, EDF or OVO Energy’s funds, there is other support at hand.
You may be able to get free devices through the Household Support Fund between now and next March.
The fund is worth £421million and has been distributed among councils in England.
Each council gets to decide how to distribute its share of the fund but some are giving households free appliances and devices which could save you money on your energy bills.
Meanwhile, you might be able to get help paying for insulation or a new more energy-efficient boiler through the Energy Company Obligation.
You might even be able to get them for free depending on your circumstances.
It’s worth noting though that you are only eligible for help through the Energy Company Obligation if you are on benefits, classed as vulnerable or have a home with a low Energy Performance Certificate.
An Energy Performance Certificate is a document that shows how energy efficient your property is.
If neither of these two options are available, you might be able to save money on your bills by installing a heat pump, which you can get subsidised through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
The exact temperature to set your thermostat
ENERGY bills remain relatively high leaving many worrying over the thermostat.
Energy experts have revealed the exact temperature to set it at so that you can save cash and still keep warm.
When it comes to your thermostat, the Energy Saving Trust recommends you should set it to the “lowest comfortable temperature”.
For the majority of us, this is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius.
It’s just the right balance between keeping your home warm, and keeping those energy bills as low as possible.
If you have your thermostat set at a higher temperature you can probably afford to turn it down and still keep cosy.
Of course, there are exceptions like anyone who is in ill health, and there is support available to cover extra costs.
Just by turning down the temp by a single degree, you could save as much as £100 a year.
If you cut it by more you will obviously make even bigger savings.
The Energy Saving Trust also says that you don’t need to turn your thermostat up when it is colder outside, the house will still heat up to the set temperature.
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