Darlington’s Big Community Switch – Save money on energy bills!
Your church could save money on your gas and electricity bills.
Darlington Borough Council has joined the Big Community Switch - a Collective Energy Switching scheme powered by iChoosr.
Voluntary and Community organisations, including churches, can register for free and with no obligation for help to get a better deal.
On registering using switching options available to businesses, organisations are offered a simplified switching process with support from business energy experts ‘Make It Cheaper’.
‘Make It Cheaper’ will help determine when your church can switch and how much you could save. You can expect an independent and unbiased comparison of the whole market.
If you choose to make a switch you will enter into a new contract with a new supplier. Make It Cheaper will oversee the handover and there will be no interruption to your supply.
Individuals can also register for free and with no obligation to switch.
Registration is open to householders (including people living in rented accommodation and who have prepayment meters; you do not have to be living in Darlington to be able to register). After the registration period closes, an auction is organised and residents will receive an offer telling them how much they can save. They can then decide whether or not to accept the offer.
Why not promote the Big Community Switch to your ministry team, paid staff, congregation and the people you serve in your community so they could save money on energy at home too!
Rising energy costs are a key factor in fuel poverty with around one in 5 fuel poor households in the Borough (DECC, 2011). Fuel poverty has associated health and wellbeing impacts including psychological stress, worry, social isolation, respiratory and circulatory conditions. This winter many people will be choosing whether to ‘heat or eat’. By promoting Darlington’s Big Community Switch to your community, your church could help make a difference to those affected by fuel poverty in your area.
We can help you with promotion and talks to your groups – please contact Phill Bell at Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau as per the details below.
Take Part in the Big Community Switch
Churches
To take part visit and follow the instructions under ‘Take Part in the Big Community Switch’…’In your community’.
Or call 0800 088 6974 to speak to business energy experts Make It Cheaper.
Please have a current bill in your Church’s name to hand.
Churches can contact Make It Cheaper up to and including 30 March 2014(Christmas opening hours: 24 December to 1 January CLOSED; reopens 2 January)
Residents
For help and personal 1 to 1 support to register, residents can speak to Phill Bell from Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau at:
Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau, Bennet House, 14 Horsemarket, Darlington DL1 5PT
(Open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, open until6pm on Wednesdays. Christmas opening hours: 24 December to 1 January CLOSED; reopens 2 January)
01325 256999 (ext 122)
Or visit and follow the instructions.
Please have a current bill in your name/your partner’s name to hand.
Registration for residents will close at midnight on17 February 2014.