PEOPLE are only just realising they can bag a free from a major energy supplier – and it takes just minutes to apply.
As we head further into winter, many households will be worried about the impact cranking up their heating will have on their energy bills.
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But bill payers may not know that they could qualify for a number of energy-saving freebies.
Ovo Energy is offering money-saving gadgets to households through a £50million customer support package.
Customers struggling to pay bills can get access to free energy-saving items like heated throws and mattress toppers.
The firms’ package also includes payment holidays for prepayment meter customers and direct financial support.
The package opened at the beginning of October.
One customer took to social media to share how they received a heated throw.
Writing in the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group, they said: “My throw turned up this evening from OVO.
“This was all I received and I’m grateful for it.”
Others rushed to comments to say they didn’t know about the scheme.
One person wrote: “I didn’t even know about this.”
Another added: “I’ve just applied and got on arriving in two weeks.”
A third said: “Thank you for posting. I’m with OVO and didn’t know anything about this.
“I’ve now applied and it said it will be with me in two weeks.”
While a fourth commented: “Thank you for posting this. I’ve just seen your post and applied for the heated throw.”
How to apply
You can apply for OVO’s Customer Support Package on its website.
The firm said applications should take around two minutes but you should have some information ready to hand, including:
- Your monthly disposable income (this is any income after you’ve paid tax, rent or mortgage payments, and essentials like utility bills)
- Your account number and postcode
You may also have to include how many people live in your home, what your main type of heating is and how you pay for your energy.
You may also have to state whether you have qualified for the Warm Home Discount before or are on means-tested benefits.
You can make applications on behalf of yourself and others, for example a family member that doesn’t have access to the internet.
How do I calculate my energy bill?
BELOW we reveal how you can calculate your own energy bill.
To calculate how much you pay for your energy bill, you must find out your unit rate for gas and electricity and the standing charge for each fuel type.
The unit rate will usually be shown on your bill in p/kWh.The standing charge is a daily charge that is paid 365 days of the year – irrespective of whether or not you use any gas or electricity.
You will then need to note down your own annual energy usage from a previous bill.
Once you have these details, you can work out your gas and electricity costs separately.
Multiply your usage in kWh by the unit rate cost in p/kWh for the corresponding fuel type – this will give you your usage costs.
You’ll then need to multiply each standing charge by 365 and add this figure to the totals for your usage – this will then give you your annual costs.
Divide this figure by 12, and you’ll be able to determine how much you should expect to pay each month from April 1.
What if I’m not with Ovo?
Struggling energy customers can get a raft of support depending on who their supplier is.
Octopus Energy is offering customers free electric blankets through its £30million Octopus Assist fund.
The energy firm, which services almost seven million households, is dishing out the money-saving gadgets to the most vulnerable.
This means those most likely to receive help are the elderly and those with mobility issues or other medical conditions.
You should contact Octopus to find out if you’re eligible for help.
Thousands of households on benefits can get help applying for free and cheap boilers through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).
Help 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.
A number of energy companies are signed up to the scheme, including British Gas and EDF.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available 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 towards the cost of bills too.
It’s worth speaking to your supplier to see what help is at hand.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories