Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the North of England’s gas distributor is supporting a national week aimed at highlighting ways consumers can reduce their energy bills.

Big Energy Saving Week, which takes place this week (20-24 October 2014) is being led by Citizens Advice in collaboration with the Energy Saving Trust and involvement from gas distribution networks, energy suppliers, government and other charitable organisations.

The week is designed to raise awareness of energy and efficiency issues among the general public.

Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy, Northern Gas Networks, said: “The Big Energy Saving Week is a great way to spread awareness of energy issues and help people save money on their utility bills.

“Every year, Northern Gas Networks helps around 10,000 customers in the north of England save money on their energy bills, by connecting them to the gas mains.

“Our region has one of the highest levels of fuel poverty in the country, and we are working hard to tackle this by offering assisted connections to those who spend more than 10% of their total income on heating.”

Mr Bell added: “There are a number of free Big Energy Saving events taking place across our network this week, offering members of the public the opportunity to find out more about their energy bills and pick up tips on how to save money.”

To mark Big Energy Saving Week, NGN has listed ten top tips for saving energy:

1. Use low energy light bulbs – they last up to 10 times longer and use a quarter of the energy of ordinary light bulbs. Turn your lights off when you’re not using them.
2. Cover gaps near doors and windows – Unless your house is brand new you can lose heat through gaps and up the chimney too.
3. If a centrally heated room is too hot don’t open the window – turn the thermostat down. Reducing the temperature by 1 degree can cut your fuel bill by 10%.
4. Turn your lights off when you leave a room – they don’t need to be on.
5. Having a shower uses much less water and fuel than a bath. (Though a power shower will use the same as both!)
6. Keep saucepan lids on when cooking to reduce condensation and to save energy.
7. Turn off appliances rather than leave them on standby as they still use up to a quarter of the electricity.
8. Don’t fill your kettle right up every time – just use what you need but always cover the element.
9. Set your washing machine to wash at 30 degrees
10. Use a bowl to wash up in rather than leaving the hot tap running – this will waste much less water.

For further information and to find your nearest Big Energy Saving Week event, please visit http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/campaigns/current_campaigns/besw/bigenergysavingweek.htm.

If you think you might be entitled to a free connection, please visit: http://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/your-connections/domestic/free-connections/.

Anyone who smells gas or suspects Carbon Monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.