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Call for big savings in Big Energy Week

16 January 2012

Age Scotland is supporting Big Energy Week (16th to 21st January), which aims to help thousands of Scots get all the free support, advice, help and information they are entitled to when looking spend less on heating the home.
35 per cent of people in Scotland are worried they can't afford their next fuel bill and half say energy bills will put a strain on their finances this year. Some simple steps you can take save money are;

Contacting your supplier to check you are on the best tariff and payment method for you. Monthly direct debit is on average £100 cheaper per year than paying by cash or cheque.
Visiting 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, particularly if you have never changed energy firm.
Insulating the walls and the loft of your 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. Ask if you're eligible so you don't miss out. That goes for heating oil customers too. 
Checking 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.
Also supporting Big Energy Week are consumer organisations such as Consumer Focus and Which?, Citizens Advice Scotland, the Government, Ofgem, energy suppliers and switching websites. All Scottish Citizens Advice Bureaux are promoting Big Energy Week to clients and 12 bureaux are also holding outreach events across Scotland throughout the week in order to reach the public face to face.
To find out more about how you can save money, or see where your nearest local event is taking place, visit www.bigenergyweek.org.uk.