OVO Energy is handing rechargeable hot water bottles to UK households from Monday, November 2, to help them stay warm this winter as energy bills soar. The energy supplier opened a new Extra Support Package on October 27, designed to help its most vulnerable customers save up to £300 per year on their energy.
The package is tailored to individual needs, offering help ranging from free energy-saving appliances to direct financial support for those who need it most this winter and beyond. A 4% hike to Ofgem’s energy price cap took effect from October 1, and forecasters warn household bills could soar by more than £300 from January.
Eligibility and application details
Applications for a free hot water bottle from OVO will open on Monday, November 2, but will be subject to availability. Households can check their eligibility for energy-saving support via the OVO website.
The free rechargeable hot water bottles use an internal electrical heating element and a built-in thermostat to heat the liquid or conductive granules stored inside, removing the need to manually boil a kettle and refill it with water each time. Using one is a much cheaper alternative to running central heating, as it heats only the person, not the entire home.
Other free products and support
Other free energy-saving products available through the package include thermos flasks, heat pads, LED light bulbs, smart plugs, replacement white goods, and heated throws, which cost approximately 3p per hour to run.
OVO said: “If you think you’ll struggle to pay your bills and you’re an OVO customer, then you might be eligible. It doesn’t take long to apply for support and you’ll get your answer right away.”
“When you apply for support, things like household income, any disposable income, and medical needs will be taken into account – to help prioritise those who need help most.”
“We won’t be able to offer everything to everyone – but we’re hoping to help as many people as possible. Our specialist teams will be available to speak to any of our customers who are worried about energy costs.”
The free products are part of a wider package that includes a £150 Warm Homes Discount, debt relief, debt advice, and access to support from 2,500 organisations through Lightning Reach.
Impact on households
A survey by Uswitch found that around 1.7 million households won’t turn their heating on this winter over fears of rising bills, with half (50%) of homes planning to turn to alternatives such as extra layers, hot water bottles, and heated blankets to stay warm instead.
Rhiannon Sheridan, CEO at Lightning Reach, said: “Too many people miss out on help simply because it's hard to find, and harder to apply for. OVOs Extra Support package brings a full range of support into one place. Together, we can make sure people get all the help they need, with one simple application.”
