Saving on heating bills through free electric blankets

Green Doctor Mike with Suzan and the electric blanket. (Credit: Groundwork Five Counties)

Many households worry about the high cost of energy bills, with another 4% Energy Price Cap increase from 1st October. East Midlands-based charity Groundwork Five Counties is giving out free energy-saving items such as electric blankets to help people stay warm at home and save money on their heating.

Suzan and Bryan were recently supported by Groundwork’s Green Doctor service, which provides fully funded energy advice to households across the East Midlands. The couple have numerous health conditions, making it extra important for them to keep warm and comfortable at home.

Suzan said: “Green Doctor Mike visited us and looked through our energy bills, usage, and how we heat the house. He spotted that we were on a variable tariff and together we rang the energy supplier to switch to a fixed tariff, which saves us £120 a year.

“My husband Bryan was a heating engineer for decades, so we are very savvy on that. We always try to keep a temperature of 19 degrees at home, but in winter it can still feel cold so we may put it up higher. However, we know that each degree on your thermostat costs about £60 a year so we are careful.

“To help us keep warm without putting the heating on higher than we’d like, Mike gave us two free electric blankets which only cost about 2 pence per hour to run. They are huge and can be double-folded, and now we can keep cosy without worrying about the heating bill.

“A Green Doctor visit costs nothing, lasts just an hour and half, and we got so much out of it. Mike was very helpful and has saved us a lot of money. I think this is a wonderful service for people who worry about their bills.”

During a home visit, the Green Doctors can advise on the cheapest tariffs, supplier discounts, check eligibility for benefits and home improvement grants. They will install small energy-saving items like radiator foil, LED bulbs, draught excluders, and where a need is identified, can provide larger items such as electric blankets, air fryers, portable heaters, and more.

All aspects of the Green Doctor are free of charge as it is a fully funded charity service.

The Green Doctor service is available anywhere in the East Midlands to people of any age and background, whether they own their home, rent, or are a council or social housing tenant. For more information and to get a free home visit, visit the website: www.groundwork.org.uk/fivecounties/green-doctor