OVO Energy to give away free boilers and electric blankets from October 1

As temperatures continue to decrease, a major energy supplier will hand out free electric blankets and ensure payment holidays for those who need it. Thousands of UK households struggling to heat their homes will be eligible for this support from OVO Energy, dedicating £56 million to its Extra Support Package to help vulnerable households in winter. Eligible households should receive energy-saving products, including electric blankets, smart sockets and home efficiency kits. Some may also receive a new boiler or heat pump. Financial support in the form of debit reductions, emergency credit top-ups and extended repayment plans will also be available.

The move comes as Ofgem, the independent energy regulator in the UK, confirmed household energy bills are set to rise by double the amount previously expected from October. Ofgem's latest price cap will be 2% higher than the current one, adding £35 to the typical current annual bill, increasing it to £1,775 a year. According to government statistics, fuel poverty in England has risen to 9 million households, increasing by 62% from 2020.

David Buttress, chief executive officer at OVO, said: "We're providing support to those who need it most by working together with our charity partners and committing our largest ever customer support package.

"But this isn't a long-term solution. We need to make the energy system work better for everyone. That starts with targeted support in the form of a social tariff - no one can be, or no one needs to be left behind."

Applications for enhanced winter support open on October 1, the Evening Standard reports. The support will be provided in partnership with Warm Welcome Campaign and StepChange, charities which work to end the fuel poverty crisis in the UK.

A new OVO poll revealed that 91 per cent of people are worried about their bills this winter, with seven in ten saying they are more concerned than they were last year. OVO is urging the government to implement a social tariff to protect those who cannot afford to heat their homes. According to research by Green Alliance, a social tariff offering discounted energy bills to low-income households would lift more people out of poverty than the government's Warm Home Discount - a one-off £150 discount off the electricity bill - did in 2024.

Since 2022, OVO has committed £190 million to support customers struggling with winter energy bills and helped 42,000 customers last year.