Our electric blankets scheme is there to support customers most in need, particularly for people with really specific vulnerabilities and medical needs. To make sure the blankets are getting into the right hands, well be prioritising those customers. Customers who apply for our Octo Assist will be assessed and offered the support thatll be most appropriate for them.
How can an electric blanket help with my energy bills
One of our boffins realised that some customers were paying to heat their entire homes, even if they lived alone. He did some calculations and found out that where heating a whole home costs around £4 a day, an energy-efficient electric blanket can heat a person for just 2-4p an hour. This means an electric blanket is a vastly more cost-effective way to stay warm: particularly for people with mobility issues, for example, and those who spend a lot of time in one spot. Or those with medical issues that mean they feel the cold more, or are more prone to illness.
Modern electric blankets, used according to their instructions, are safe and energy efficient. We use our purchasing power to buy tens of thousands and offer them for free to customers we identify will benefit most when they fill in our financial assistance tool. So far, as of August 2026, weve given out more than 110,000
Weve been really trying to target people who need a blanket most: so we havent offered one to every customer, and weve tried to keep it to one per home so that we can support as many people as possible.
Weve run some analysis on customers who got an electric blanket and found that they saved up to 10-20% on their bills on average in the Winter months after getting their blanket. Over a year, thats a massive £300 saving.
The Octopus impact: help us help your community
If you can afford it, please consider buying one yourself.
We know everyones worried about bills right now, but some people are struggling much more than others. We need to prioritise customers wholl benefit most: the elderly, and those with mobility issues or other medical conditions that mean theyre more impacted by the cold.
These blankets start at around £40 and can save you £300 or more, so theyre really worth the investment. If you can consider buying one yourself, please do there might be someone else out there who truly cant afford to buy one.
How does it work
We are offering electric blankets to the most vulnerable homes. It is one electric blanket per household this is so we can help as many people as possible.
A human will have a look at the health of your account and information you give us during the application process to inform a decision. Youll hear from us in about a week.
How should I use my electric blanket to keep warm
Electric blankets cost around 2-4p/hr to run at their maximum setting so are a cost effective way to keep yourself warm.
Tips to get the most out of your electric blanket
Use this as a throw over your body to keep you warm, rather than as a mattress topper.
Heat the blanket up at the highest setting for a few minutes and then reduce the setting down to a medium setting for longer use.
Do not fold the blanket as this may impair the heating functionality.
The blanket works differently to a heated mattress topper.
The heat may appear patchy to the touch but the blanket works by creating a halo of heat around you and is working effectively.
Position the connector of the blanket at your feet and keep it unobstructed to avoid overheating.
Make sure children are not left unobserved with the blanket.
