Cut hundreds from energy costs with Big Energy Saving Week

image001Dorset Community Action will next week be out and about helping people to cut hundreds of pounds from their energy bills.

As the rising cost of living continues to put pressure on household budgets, Dorset Community Action, Magna Housing, First Dorset Credit Union, and Citizens Advice are offering free advice to help consumers save energy, cut their bills and get all the support they are entitled to.

Big Energy Saving Week is a national campaign running from 27 to 31 January. Run by Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and supported by ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England), charities, the Government and the energy industry, the week aims to help consumers check they are on the best deal, switch tariff or supplier and take up help to insulate their homes and reduce their energy usage.

By taking action to check, switch and insulate, consumers could make savings on their energy bills:

· £325 average saving from insulation and other energy saving measures

· £100 average saving paying by direct debit rather than cash or cheque

· Up to £200 saving for switching tariff or supplier if you have never switched before

Advisers from CAB, the ACRE Network of rural community councils, Age UK and Energy Saving Trust will be in shopping centres, libraries and town halls up and down the country to help residents find out how they can make sure they are not spending any more than they have to on their energy bills.

In Sherborne on Wednesday 29th January people can drop into the West End Hall, Littlefield, Sherborne, DT9 6AU from 2pm – 6pm to find out how to save on their bills over a cup of tea and biscuits provided by the Co-op.

Alex Picot, Chief executive of Dorset Community Action said: “During Big Energy Saving Week, we’ll be helping communities explore the ways they can save money on their fuel bills. Evidence shows rural families are twice as likely as their urban counterparts to struggle to heat their homes, due to lower than average incomes and houses that are less energy efficient.

“Lack of access to cheaper fuel supplies is also a problem – 36pc of homes in rural areas are off the gas grid, so many households rely on fuels such as oil, electric heating, LPG or coal.

“There are lots of practical things people can do to cut their bills – from switching suppliers to joining an oil-buying group. We’re keen to make sure people don’t pay more than they need to for energy.”

Consumers can also get help and advice online at www.bigenergysavingweek.org.uk, from their local CAB, or can join in our twitter chat on Thursday 30 January. You can see a full list of events at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/besw_events.htm