A special event is being held in the Garden Quarter, Chester, to help residents find out how they could save money on their energy bills this winter.

The Save Energy, Save Money event will provide residents with an opportunity to meet with experts and discuss ways in which they can reduce their energy bills and keep their home warm during the colder months.

There will be advice stands from a variety of organisations covering everything from fire safety, debt and benefit advice to a range of interactive workshops and exhibits demonstrating simple actions you can take to reduce your energy bills.

Local environmental charity Energy Projects Plus will also be on hand to offer Garden Quarter residents a free home energy check which includes:

• Funding for new heating systems, heating repairs, insulation, draught proofing or new heating controls.
• Help to switch to a cheaper energy tariff, with average savings of £220 a year.
• Advice about avoiding damp and condensation, and the most cost effective way to use your heating.
• Benefits checks, support with Warm Homes Discount applications (a £140 credit from your energy supplier) and Priority Service Register support.

The home energy check service and the Save Energy, Save Money event have been promoted to Garden Quarter residents through a mailing in partnership with the Garden Quarter Association and Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Paul Brand has had his energy check and said: “Following the visit we were surprised but very grateful to learn that we were eligible for a grant of £600 towards a new boiler and heating controls, plus support installing loft insulation.”

Arnold Wilkes of the Garden Quarter Association and Transition Chester, has undertaken energy efficiency improvements to his home, improving its warmth and reducing his energy bills. He said: “After reducing my own energy bills, I thought I would try and help others improve the energy efficiency of their living accommodation. If you want to reduce your energy costs then come along to our energy exhibition on 29^th October to find out what you can do”.

Councillor Bob Rudd for the Garden Quarter said: “I am pleased to have helped the residents develop the Garden Quarter Community Plan which highlighted the high number of properties in the area with fuel poverty. We hope that local residents will take advantage of the help that can be provided and through the Save Energy Save Money event.”

The Save Energy, Save Money event takes place on Saturday 29th October 2016, 10am to 1:00pm at Chester Blue Coat CE Primary School, Walpole Street, Chester, CH1 4HG

The registration deadline for the Merseyside Collective Switch has now been extended to the 31^st October.

The scheme has saved local people in excess of £1million on their energy bills through switching to a cheaper energy tariff, with average savings of £311.

Collective switching works by asking people to register their interest then uses collective buying power to negotiate exclusive tariffs from energy suppliers.

Residents will need to register before midnight on the 31^st October in order to access the exclusive collective switch offers tariffs negotiated for the group.

Over 7,000 people took part in the last round in March. Exclusive, market beating tariffs were negotiated for Merseyside residents including a fixed tariff from E.on, an offer for ‘payment on receipt of bill’ customers and a special deal for prepayment meter customers. Previous rounds of the switch have attracted exclusive offers from both the large and smaller suppliers, including British Gas, E.on, and Ovo.

In addition to the Collective Switch offer, participants are welcome to switch to any tariff on the market to find the deal that’s right for them, with tariffs shown against each other for comparison.

The scheme aims to make it easier to switch supplier, and advisors are on hand to offer free and impartial help every step of the way.

It’s free to join, and there is no obligation to switch once the offers are released.

Mr David Bailey registered for the last round of the Collective Switch on behalf of his 87 year old Mother, Margaret, who saved £1,067 through switching.

He said “I’m thrilled with the big savings made for my mother and think it’s great we are coming together as a community to get a cheaper deal on our energy bills. It was so simple and quick to do, I would recommend it to anyone.’’

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said: “The Merseyside Collective Switch is a great scheme that is putting money back into the pockets of local people. We are thrilled to have reached this milestone figure of £1 million collectively saved so far. It demonstrates that by joining together, we can get a fairer deal from energy providers. I hope many more people join this round. If just 1 in 10 of you joined us we could have over £20m staying in local people’s pockets.”

Ellie Abernethy has managed the project since its launch three years ago. She said “One of the main aims of the Collective Switch is to make switching easier, especially for people who are nervous about switching, and those who don’t have internet access and can’t compare prices online. If you haven’t switched for more than 12 months, you may be on your supplier’s most expensive tariff. Even if you are a regular switcher, our winning tariffs are often market beating and therefore cheaper than you can find elsewhere. I hope everyone registers to find out how much they could save”.

In order to access the collective switch offers, residents must register before midnight on Monday 31st October.

To join the Collective Switch visit www.LCRenergyswitch.co.uk or call the local Save Energy Advice Line on freephone 0800 043 0151, where residents can also get free and impartial help and advice about saving energy at home.