THOUSANDS of hard-up households can get their hands on free energy-saving gadgets ahead of Christmas.
Appliances like air fryers and heated blankets are being distributed by several energy suppliers to assist those struggling to pay their energy bills.
For instance, Octopus Energy is providing customers with free electric blankets through its £30million Octopus Assist fund.
And Ovo Energy is offering money-saving gadgets to households as part of its £50 million customer support package.
From air fryers to electric blankets and mattress toppers, here is everything you might be eligible for from each supplier…
EDF is pumping £29million into a range of support for struggling households this winter.
Customers can get any debt wiped, as well as free energy-saving gadgets such as air fryers, kettles and slow cookers.
EDF said it will replace broken or poorly working appliances with energy-efficient ones.
But not everyone qualifies for help. EDF said its team will identify and refer eligible customers for extra support.
You can find out more and apply via edfenergy.com/energywise/how-edf-are-supporting-their-customers-through-uks-cost-living-crisis.
Octopus Energy is offering 20,000 electric blankets in total to customers in need this winter.
Octopus said customers with an electric blanket have saved an average of £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 who are medically vulnerable, the elderly, and people living alone.
Dreamland makes the blankets provided to customers, usually costing £69.99 new.
To apply for an electric blanket, visit octopusenergy/blog/octo-assist.
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, too, including electric throws and mattress toppers.
What you are entitled to depends on your circumstances, and you must be an OVO Energy customer.
Find out if you’re eligible for help via ovoenergy.com/extra-support.
If you’re not eligible for free energy-saving gadgets through Octopus, EDF or OVO Energys’ funds, there is other support at hand.
You may be able to get free devices through your local authority’s Household Support Fund.
Charities including, Citizens Advice and Groundwork are also offering support through The Cadent Foundation’s a £2million Emergency Support Fund.
Each charity is using a slice of the funding to give out the gadgets, food vouchers and energy vouchers to help households struggling with fuel poverty.
Households can claim heating and cooking appliances which use little energy and cost less money to run – saving them crucial cash on their monthly bill.
The boost will be available until March, and each household can receive up to two vouchers as well as the appliances they need
To find out more, visit cadentgas.com/cadent-foundation#projects.
Thousands of households on benefits can also get help applying for free and cheap energy-saving gadgets through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).
Support is offered on a case-by-case basis, but it can mean having a new boiler fitted or loft or cavity wall insulation put in, often for free.
Several energy firms also offer hardship grants to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
E.ON, Octopus, and Scottish Power all have their own schemes where you can get money for the cost of bills, too.
It’s worth speaking to your supplier to see what’s available.
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic share her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won’t even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you’ve let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven’t browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
