Published: 30/01/2018
COPELAND Council is marking Big Energy Saving Week by urging people to sign up to its money-saving scheme.
The Copeland Big Switch is currently open for applications following three successful campaigns earlier this year, in which a high number of householders saved large amounts on their energy bills.
The scheme, run by Copeland Council in partnership with iChoosr, involves the organisers creating a large group of customers interested in cheaper tariffs, who then offer their custom as a group to the energy firm offering the best deal.
All a resident has to do is register for free using their latest energy bills, and they will receive a personalised offer revealing how much money could be saved. There is no obligation to switch.
The previous three schemes saved residents an average of £128, £148 and, in October, £204.
One resident who switched in the previous campaign was Mike Fulker, from Calderbridge, (pictured) who saved hundreds of pounds on his bills. He said: “It can be quite a lot of work switching your energy supplier. The Big Switch makes it much easier and has the advantage of extra bargaining power.”
Councillor David Moore, Copeland Council's Portfolio Holder for Nuclear and Corporate Services, said: “The New Year is a good time to look at your finances, so this is a very timely opportunity for people to save money on their energy bills.
“This is the fourth round of the Big Switch that we’ve been involved in, and the average amounts residents have saved in the previous three have been significant, right throughout the borough.
“It needn’t even mean switching energy providers; the Big Switch can often find you cheaper tariffs with your existing provider.
"But it is not just those struggling to afford their energy bills who should consider signing up. There is money to be saved for minimum effort. All the work is done for you, and there’s absolutely no obligation to switch at the end.”
Copeland residents must sign up before midnight on February 12 by visiting www.copeland.gov.uk/section/copeland-big-switch. They can also register in person at Copeland's Market Hall offices in Whitehaven or Millom.
Big Energy Saving Week (January 22 to 26) focuses on raising public awareness of how to switch energy supplier or tariff to get the best deal, access discounts and make homes energy efficient. It is a partnership between Citizens Advice, the Energy Saving Trust and the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy with the support of numerous organisations, charities and companies.