41% worried about next fuel bill

Worrying new research from from Citizens Advice reveals that 41% of people in Wales are now worried they can’t afford their next fuel bill, and more than one in two (56%) say energy bills will put a strain on their finances this year.

The findings have been released as part of  Big Energy Week (16-21 January 2012), designed to help people save money on their fuel bills.

Big Energy Week is supported by Home Heat Helpline, Consumer Focus, Which?, Energy UK, energy companies, charities, accredited switching sites, Ofgem and the Government, and will see CAB advisers across Wales help people spend less on heating and powering their home.

The flagship event in the St David’s  shopping centre in Cardiff was today launched by Welsh Government Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development,  John Griffiths.

Various partners will take part at the three day event where people will be urged to bring their fuel bills to get instant advice on how they can save money. The ‘energy advice centre’ will be open this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,  from 9.30–6pm  and we are hoping to see as many people as possible bring their gas and electricity bills with them to see if we can save them money, let them know about grants available to make their home warmer and more fuel efficient or even help them prepeare a budget sheet.

From conversations our Bureau staff have every day with people who are struggling with their fuel bills, we know how difficult things are at the moment, with hikes in prices putting extra pressure on people’s budgets at a time when money is already tight.

What comes across is that often people are struggling unnecessarily because they’re not on the best deal, or don’t realise they can get help to insulate their homes – or are simply not getting the financial help which is actually readily available to them.”

The Big Energy Week survey found:

– having the heating on less topped the list of what people in Wales are doing to cut energy bills (63%)

– 41% of people in Wales don’t know that energy companies are offering help to insulate their home.

– 71% of people who said their energy bills would put a strain on their finances this year also said they were worried they won’t be able to pay their next fuel bill.

A website has been especially created for the week –  www.bigenergyweek.org.uk and it gives advice on how to cut fuel bills, helpful contact telephone numbers and links as well as find out about the other events that are happening accross the UK this week.

Big Energy Week is helping 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 it is possible to get energy cheaper elsewhere. People 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 your home and you could save on average around £120 per year.  All suppliers are giving away free or discounted insulation.  Grants are also available for heating oil customers.

– Check they are not missing out on any benefits or tax credits that could up their  income.

– Using less energy can save money, just by doing simple things like turning off lights and switching appliances off at the wall. Turning the thermostat down 1°C alone could cut a heating bill by £60 a year on average.

– If people are unable to pay their bills they should contact their energy supplier immediately. Energy suppliers have to help people manage their bills in a way that they can afford.

– People that use heating oil or liquid petroleum gas to heat their homes, should shop around and compare prices from different oil suppliers. Citizens Advice encourage and advice on how to start and set up oil clubs.

Various events are going on all week accross the UK and  further information on the events can be found at the webiste –   www.bigenergyweek.org.uk where there is also comprehensive  advice on how to cut fuel bills and  helpful contact telephone numbers and links.