Electric blankets
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, we’ll be prioritising those customers. Customers who apply for our Octo Assist will be assessed and offered the support that’ll be most appropriate for them.
To start the process, create a Paylink budget to see what support is available, and to see if you qualify for financial assistance.
If you are struggling with your bills, please do contact us, as there are other ways we can help.
If you can, do think about buying an electric blanket yourself: they tend to cost around £60 and our research shows the typical home could save £300 by using an electric blanket to keep warm rather than always heating the whole house.
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. Last Winter, we used our purchasing power to buy 7,000, and offered them for free to customers we identified would benefit most when they filled in our financial assistance tool.
We’ve been really trying to target people who need a blanket most: so we haven’t offered one to every customer, and we've tried to keep it to one per home so that we can support as many people as possible.
We ran 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, that’s a massive £300 saving.
If you can afford it, please consider buying one yourself.
We know everyone's worried about bills right now, but some people are struggling much more than others. We only have 10,000 blankets to give away, and need to prioritise customers who'll benefit most: the elderly, and those with mobility issues or other medical conditions that mean they're more impacted by the cold.
These blankets start at around £40 and can save you £300 or more, so they're really worth the investment. If you can consider buying one yourself, please do – there might be someone else out there who truly can't 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. You'll 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.
Safety information
Please be aware of Fire Brigade guidance around the safe use of blankets, and that to prevent mould, it's recommended to keep homes above 15 degrees celsius.
These should not be used by children under 5 years old.
Please read the full safety guidance from the London Fire Brigade.
Can I wash my electric blanket?
Yes, you can — and it’s easier than you might think! Here’s how to keep your blanket clean and cosy for longer:
Before washing:
Unplug any leads from the blanket (don’t worry — the stitched attachments can be safely submerged in water).
If you’re using a washing machine:
- Place a bath towel or sheet in the machine first, so the blanket doesn’t rub against the rubber around the door.
- Use the Wool programme at 30°C.
- Skip the extra spin cycle — gentle is best!
If you’d rather hand wash:
- Use lukewarm water and a mild washing powder.
- Let your blanket soak for about 15 minutes, then gently wash and rinse it.
- Drain the water by gently squeezing — no wringing so the cables inside don't get damaged.
What should I do if my electric blanket controller doesn’t turn on?
If your controller isn’t lighting up or responding, don’t worry — there are a few simple things to try before assuming something’s gone wrong.
Here’s what to do:
- Make sure the controller is firmly plugged into the power socket.
- Leave it plugged in for 10–15 minutes without pressing any buttons — sometimes it just needs a little time to reset itself.
- If it still doesn’t switch on, please get in touch at hello@octopus.energy and our team can take a look.
In many cases, the problem is with the controller itself, not the internal wiring of the blanket — so we may be able to replace the controller and get you back to cosy in no time.
Why is my electric blanket controller flashing blue?
A flashing blue light could mean the controller isn’t properly connected — but it’s easy to fix!
Here’s what to do:
- First, check that the controller is firmly plugged into the blanket’s connector panel. Sometimes it can look connected but needs an extra push to click fully into place.
- If it’s securely connected and still flashing, unplug the controller from the mains, wait a few minutes, then plug it back in to reset it.
- If the blue light keeps flashing after that, drop us a message at hello@octopus.energy — we’ll be happy to take a closer look.
How can I take care of my electric blanket to prevent issues?
To keep your blanket working well for many cosy winters, follow these simple tips:
- Use heat wisely: Avoid keeping the blanket on the highest settings (4–6) for more than the 10-minute preheat period.
- Overnight use: For extended periods while sleeping, stick to settings 1–3 — warm, safe, and energy-efficient.
- Storage: When not in use, do not place heavy items on top of the blanket to prevent damage to the wiring.
- Electrical safety: Avoid using overloaded extension leads — plug the blanket directly into a wall socket where possible.
Following these practices helps your blanket stay safe, effective, and long-lasting.
Is my electric blanket recyclable?
Absolutely! If you no longer want your blanket or it is faulty, you don’t need to throw it away. The best way is to take it to your local recycling centre so it can be properly reused or recycled.
For extra guidance, visit Recycle Your Electricals and enter your postcode to find the best local options.
Published on 13th October 2025 by:
Hey I'm Constantine, welcome to Octopus Energy!
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