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Advice on energy bills for people in upper Rhymney Valley 10 May 2010

People living in the upper Rhymney Valley will be able to get practical advice on ways to lower their energy bills at community roadshows to be held next week (week commencing 17th May).

The Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) will be taking part in Rhymney, Abertysswg and Pontlottyn Communities First’s mobile financial information roadshow, to chat to people about how they can save money on their energy bills.

Representatives will be on hand to talk to residents about the Home Heat Helpline, a free service funded by Britain’s major energy suppliers to help customers who are worried about their energy bills. The service aims to give people on low incomes, people receiving benefits, those over 70 and the disabled access to free home insulation and reduced or ‘social’ tariffs.

Recent research, commissioned by the Home Heat Helpline, revealed that 254,000 vulnerable households across Wales are eligible for assistance through the Helpline.

By calling the helpline, these households could benefit from saving around £150 a year on their heating bills by insulating their lofts and another £115 a year with cavity wall insulation.

Anyone can come and have a chat with the Home Heat Helpline representatives at the event on the morning of Wednesday May 19th at Merchant Street Shops, Pontlottyn and the afternoon of Wednesday, May 19th at Abertysswg Primary School, Abertysswg. Representatives from the Home Heat Helpline will also be at the roadshow on the morning of Friday, May 21st, at Rhymney Library Car Park.

Richard Beasley from Rhymney Communities First said,

“We’re delighted that representatives from the Home Heat Helpline will be attending the roadshow sessions in Pontlottyn, Abertysswg and Rhymney, to provide practical advice on ways people can save money on their energy bills. The local Credit Union, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, and Caerphilly County Borough Council benefit advice officers will also be involved in the roadshow sessions. These events are a great way of putting people directly in contact with those organisations that can help them most.”

The Home Heat Helpline’s trained advisers can help customers to access a range of services provided by Britain’s major energy suppliers, including:

• Grants for free home insulation
• Advice on reduced or ‘social’ tariffs which could offer customers more affordable prices on their gas and electricity
• The Priority Services Register for those with a disability or special needs
• Flexible payment options for those in fuel debt

Christine McGourty, spokesperson for the Home Heat Helpline said:

“We’re urging anyone on a low income and in receipt of benefits to call the Home Heat Helpline to claim the free help they are entitled to in reducing their bills.”

ENDS