Big Energy Saving Week has proven so successful in Manchester that the week long energy saving extravaganza has been extended to offer even more help and advice to local households struggling to meet the cost of ever increasing energy bills.
Organised by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) the national campaign was rolled out across the country for six days from 22 to 27 October. But in light of the response the initiative received in Manchester – more than 200 referrals to the Warm Front Scheme were made – the local CAB has chosen to keep the ball rolling by extending the energy saving scheme until 13 November.
From community events to specialist advice sessions, the team from Manchester CAB will be able to help people save money on their fuel bills by checking they are getting the best deal from their gas and electricity provider and suggesting what help is available in terms of home insulation.
According to the Energy Saving Trust (EST) last year the average UK home wasted £280 simply through not embracing energy efficiency. While 25% of heat is known to be wasted through roofs, 35% of heat loss can be attributed to walls. Amongst the wide ranging advice offered by the CAB, households should look into insulation measures such as cavity wall insulation and loft insulation to make their homes better insulated to reduce home heating costs by up to £160 a year.
During Big Energy Saving Week around 100 events took place across the UK and more than 57,000 people benefited from advice in person. While the Energy Saving Trust’s own helpline received at least an extra 500 daily calls, the Home Heat Helpline which addresses the needs of vulnerable people said their volume of calls increased by 10%.
By transforming Big Energy Saving Week into Big Energy Saving Month Manchester CAB is giving even more local people the opportunity and time to seek help and practical advice to cut their gas and electricity bills and the financial assistance available out there to help them to do so.
