A CHARITY is urging residents to switch energy suppliers and help older relatives or neighbours find a better deal to cut costs during the winter.

York Citizens Advice has made the call as part of Big Energy Saving Week to encourage people to discover how much they can save by researching other suppliers.

As part of the campaign Citizens Advice York is working with City of York Council and York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to hold a series of energy information events throughout this week which offer advice on how to reduce energy bills by fuel switching and installing insulation.

This comes after findings from an Ipsos MORI survey of 2,000 UK participants showed millions of householders across the UK do not realise how much they could save from switching energy supplier or tariff.

The figures found that 40 per cent of people do not know how to help the elderly switch, more than 12 million believe switching won't save them money and 16 million householders believe switching myths, like they may be disconnected for a short period while changing energy supplier.

However, residents could save an average of £325 from insulation and other energy saving measures and up to £200 by switching tariff.

Tony Lindsay, chief executive at Citizens Advice York, said: "Switching myths mean people are missing out on saving money on their energy bills.

"By shopping around and switching to a different energy deal consumers can cut hundreds of pounds from their gas and electricity bills. Whether you own your home or rent it, and regardless of whether you have a prepayment meter, there are savings to be made.

"The process of shopping around and switching is fairly straightforward but some people might be unsure about how to find the best tariff. Others might be put off by common myths about switching."

For advice about switching and to find the best energy deal visit www.beanenergyshopper.com