This year, probably more than any other, people are looking closely at the family budget.

To this end Citizens Advice Dorset is helping people to reduce their energy bills and save money as part of Big Energy Saving Winter which runs from November to January.

Local staff and volunteers from East Dorset Citizens Advice will be sharing information to help people take three simple steps to prepare for the winter ahead.

• Check to see if they are eligible for discounts, grants and support
• Switch their tariff or energy supplier to get the best deal
• Save money by becoming more energy efficient

Big Energy Saving Winter is calling on energy super savers, who have made savings to their own bills, to help their relatives, friends and neighbours to check, switch and save on their energy bills. Free resources and advice will enable energy super savers to help protect the UK’s most vulnerable people.

New research shows that one in three bill payers say they are using more energy than they usually would at this time of year.

Helen Goldsack, chief officer, East Dorset and Purbeck Citizens Advice said, “Switching energy suppliers is one of the quickest ways for us all to make sure we’re not paying more than we need to. But our advisers are also on hand to help make sure people are getting any extra grants and benefits they might be entitled to and to look at ways to make people’s homes more energy efficient.”

For more information about switching energy suppliers visit www.bigenergysavingwinter.org.uk or email energyadvice@cabnet.org.uk.

To speak to an adviser, call the Dorset Adviceline on 0800 144 8848 or visit www.eastdorsetca.com for more information or www.citizensadvice.org.uk