Help is at hand for residents worries about energy costs.

Citizens Advice is holding a series of events during Big Energy Saving Week to help Dorset residents save money on their heating bills.

Big Energy Saving Week is a campaign run by Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Scotland, Energy Saving Trust (EST) and the Department for

Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Roadshows are being held as part of this initiative.

It’s important to keep warm at home – the NHS recommends 18-21°C, or 65-70°F – but this can sometimes be unaffordable.

Energy suppliers charge

different prices to different customers, and being

proactive means customers can make sure they’re not paying more than they should.

Many people have never switched tariff or supplier before, or are unaware of schemes like the Warm

Home Discount.

Ella Scrymgeour, Energy Champion at Citizens Advice Purbeck, said: “Big Energy Saving Week is a fantastic opportunity to get expert advice on the range of ways you can reduce your energy costs. It provides an open forum for everyone to make sure they are not paying too much for their energy.”

She added: “Switching your tariff or supplier is a simple way to bring your costs down, but you can also modify your home and change your habits.”

Everyone is welcome to join one of the Big Energy Saving Week roadshow events to find out more.

Local dates are:

* Monday, January 22 from 9.30am-3.30pm at South Walks House, Dorchester; and 10am-2pm at Purbeck Citizens Advice, Wareham (also Tues & Weds)

* Tuesday, January 23 from 9.30am-1pm at Bovington HIVE, Swinton Ave & King George V Rd

* Thursday, January 25 from 10am-1pm at Not Just Sundaes Community Café, Wareham

* Friday January 26 from 10am-4pm at Co-op Food, Swanage

* Saturday, January 27 10am-12noon at Wareham Parish Hall

Those who can’t make it can use Citizens Advice’s energy comparison tool energycompare.citizensadvice.org.uk or call the Citizens Advice energy line (Dorset only) on 01929 775500.