A LOCAL charity is helping people get ready for winter by hosting special events to raise awareness of how to get the best value for money from gas and electricity suppliers.

Expert energy advisers from Citizens Advice Stroud & Cotswold Districts will be holding street stalls in November as part of the national Big Energy Saving Week campaign.

As many people start to feel the impact of ever-increasing energy costs on their household budget, the team will be showing people how to cut their energy bills by following a three-step rule - check, switch and save.

The advisers will be showing people how to first check their current tariff and then, using Citizens Advice’s online energy price comparison tool, how to check they’re on the best tariff for their needs or if there’s a cheaper deal with a different supplier. If so, they will be given help to switch.

Sally Pickering, CEO of Citizens Advice Stroud and Cotswolds Districts, said: “Checking your energy tariff and switching to a cheaper deal is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cut your bills.

“Big Energy Saving Week is a great opportunity to get expert advice on how you can make savings before winter starts, from changing energy supplier to insulating your home."

Stroud News and Journal:

At the events - which will be in the Merrywalks Shopping Centre in Stroud on Wednesday November 2 and in the Everyone Active Leisure Centre in Cirencester on Thursday November 3 – people will also be given tips on how to save energy by making their home more energy efficient.

Examples include by getting cavity wall insulation, draught excluders or double glazing, and how to avoid using extra energy by not leaving the TV on standby or leaving lights on.

Advisers can also check whether energy customers are eligible for a discount from their supplier, for example if they are claiming certain benefits.

Gary Horne, one of Citizens Advice’s local Energy Champions, said: “I would really urge everyone to come down to see us at one of these events, use our price comparison tool or contact us for advice so they can start making savings .

“If you can’t make it, you can still follow Big Energy Saving Week’s three-step rule of check, switch, save at home.

The Citizens Advice Freephone helpline is 0808 800 0510 (Stroud) and 0808 800 0511 (Cotswolds).

For more information about opening times and venues go to www.citizensadvice-stroudandcotswold.org.uk