Big Energy Week can help cut fuel bills

Published 24 Jan 2012 08:30

Rising fuel bills are stretching household finances and people are looking for ways to save money on their energy bills.

Last week's Big Energy Week, run by Citizens Advice, was launched to help people get practical advice on cutting their fuel bills and understand all of the financial support they can receive.

Big Energy Week also saw the start of a new website (www.bigenergyweek.org.uk) full of tips on how to cut energy bills.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: "We know hikes in prices have put extra pressure on people's budgets at a time when money is already tight. Day in day out our Bureaux are helping people who can't afford their fuel bills.

"We're worried that some people are struggling unnecessarily because they're not on the best deal, live in homes that haemorrhage heat, or are not getting all of the financial help available to them.

"Through Big Energy Week we hope to help lots of people cut their fuel bills and ease their money worries.

Cathy said: "Fuel bills are a big worry for many people at the moment. I am pleased to support Big Energy Week and hope it will make a big difference to my constituents by saving them money on their bills."

Big Energy Week aims to help people save money on their bills by encouraging them to:

* Contact their supplier to check they are on the best tariff and payment method. Monthly direct debit is on average £100 cheaper per year than paying by cash or cheque.

* Visit an accredited switching website to see if they could get their energy cheaper elsewhere. They may be able to save up to £200 off their annual bill by shopping around for a different supplier, particularly if they have never changed energy firm.

* Insulate the walls and the loft of their home and you could save on average around £120 per year. All major gas and electricity suppliers are giving away free or discounted insulation to any household, not just their own customers. That goes for heating oil customers too.

* Check they are not missing out on any benefits or tax credits that could up their income; local Citizens Advice Bureaux can help with this.

* Using less energy could save money, just by doing simple things like turning off lights and switching appliances off at the wall. Turning thermostats down 1°C alone could cut heating bills by £60 on average.

* If they are unable to pay their bills they should contact their energy supplier immediately as they have to help people manage their bills in a way that is affordable.

* If they use heating oil or liquid petroleum gas to heat, they should shop around and compare prices from different oil suppliers. They could also save money by buying in bulk with neighbours, or checking if there is an oil club that they can join.

People can pick up leaflets with tips and advice on cutting their fuel bills at their local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Tweet

Follow @cumnockchron

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.