If you are struggling to cope with rising energy bills, help and support is available in Big Energy Week
ACRE is supporting Big Energy Week - an advice week coordinated by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland to give practical advice to people across the country to help them spend less on heating and powering their home.
A website has been set up - www.bigenergyweek.org.uk - where you can get advice on how to cut your fuel bill, helpful contact telephone numbers and links as well as find out what's happening in your area. You can also contact your local Citizens Advice Bureaux for energy saving advice - the number will be in the phone book.
Big Energy Week is helping people save money on their bills by encouraging them to:
- Contact your supplier to check you are on the best tariff and payment method for you. Monthly direct debits is on average £100 cheaper per year than paying by cash or cheque.
- Visit an accredited switching website to see if you could get your energy cheaper elsewhere. You may be able to save up to £200 off your annual bill by shopping around for a different supplier, particulary if you have never changed energy firm.
- Insulate the walls and the loft of your home and you could save on average around £120 per year. All suppliers are giving away free or discounted insulation - ask if you're eligible so you don't miss out. That goes for heating oil customers too.
- Check you are not missing out on any benefits or tax credits that could up your income; your local Citizens Advice Bureaux can help you with this.
- Using less energy could save you money, just by doing simple things like turning off lights and switching appliances off at the wall. Turning you thermostat down 1 C alone could cut your heating bill by £60 on average.
- If you are unable to pay your bills you should contact your energy supplier immediately as they have to help you manage your bills in a way that you can afford.
- If you use heating oil or liquid petroleum gas to heat your home, shop around and compare prices from different oil suppliers. You could also save money by buying in bulk with your neighbours; check if there is an oil club you can join or start one up.
Big Energy Week involves charities, consumer groups, energy companies, switching sites, Ofgem and the Government working together to cut household's fuel bills.
