Thousands of York residents to get extended chance to reduce energy bills

News from City of York Council which may be of use to Hull Road residents:

York residents are being given more time to gain help and advice on saving hundreds of pounds on their gas and electricity bills, by joining a scheme to lower prices which could reduce their energy bills.

Through the region’s largest ever mass energy switch, residents could save around £115 a year on their gas and electricity costs through signing up to the free scheme, which will now continue for a further two-weeks.

Leeds-based Community Energy Direct is working across six local authority districts, including York, to deliver real energy bill reductions and its scheme was originally scheduled to close at midnight on Wednesday 17 April. Now the deadline is midnight on Wednesday 1 May.

“So far more than 4,000 people have joined our free sign-up”. said Community Energy Direct director Hugh Goulbourne.

“We’re finding that people are suspicious of the energy sector but we are an independent organisation, a community co-operative, supported by the Department of Energy and Climate Change and City of York Council , and have no connections with any energy supplier. Our objective is to encourage people to get the best possible deal on energy costs – especially those who have never switched or who are on fixed incomes”, he said.

Cllr Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability said, “The deadline has been extended to give more people more time to sign up. The more people who sign, the better the scheme’s negotiating position. To register, all people have to do is visit the Community Energy Direct website www.communityenergy.info or call them on 0845 4502581 to register for free and without obligation.

“Anyone who wants help signing up can also visit York Explore Library, Library Square, York on 25 April from 9.30 – 4.30pm.  Please bring a copy of your energy bills with you.”

When the scheme closes on 1 May the details of everyone who has registered will be passed to Which? - a UK consumer watchdog. They will then spend around four weeks sourcing the best deals from energy suppliers, passing the details back to everyone who has joined. Individuals will then have two weeks to decide whether to make the switch or to stay with their current arrangements.

For more details please contact 0845 4502581 or visit www.communityenergy.info

Notes:
1.    Community Energy Direct is based in Leeds. For more information visit www.communityenergy.info
2.    Energy regulator Ofgem predicts that energy prices will rise by 60% to 2016 and that the number of homes in fuel poverty (spending more than 10% of household income on energy) will rise from 13% to 16% in the same timeframe.
3.    A community energy co-operative approach enables local people, within a distinct area, to join together and hold an `auction’ with energy providers to source the best possible deal for its members.
4.    Community Energy Direct is working in six local authority areas across northern England to drive down energy prices for thousands of households.
5.    Based on studies of previous energy switching initiatives, Community Energy Direct expects households to save up to £115 per year on their fuel costs.
6.    Which? is a consumer champion. It works to make things better for consumers. Its advice helps them make informed decisions; its campaigns make people’s lives fairer, simpler and safer; its services and products put consumers’ needs first to bring them better value.