A new community scheme which aims to help people get a better deal on their gas and electricity bills was launched throughout Essex in mid-January and Uttlesford residents have until February 17th to benefit.

The Essex Energy Switch scheme is being run by Essex County Council in partnership with Uttlesford District Council and delivered by iChoosr, an independent provider which specialises in collective energy switching.

The scheme works by bringing together large groups of residents who want to compare providers to pay less for their energy.

Major energy companies come forward to offer the lowest energy tariff to everyone who has signed up.

Once the auction has closed everyone who registered will receive a personal, no obligation offer of the new tariff from iChoosr, based on their existing energy usage.

The more people that sign up the better the tariff is likely to be and, based on previous schemes, residents could save up to £133 by switching providers collectively.

Residents can register by visiting www.essex.gov.uk/energyswitch between Tuesday 14 January and Monday 17 February.

Cllr Susan Barker, Cabinet Member for Environment at Uttlesford District Council said: “As one of the local authority partners in the Essex-wide Energy Switch Scheme, we are proactively encouraging our residents to take advantage of the chance to reduce their energy bills at home.”

“Fuel poverty and the health related implications of cold homes are a very real concern in our district. I do urge people to pass this message onto friends, relatives and neighbours so that they can sign up to see if they can reduce their energy bills. The more people that sign up to the scheme the better savings they can make!"