HALTON consumers could cut their energy bills through the Merseyside Collective Switch.

The scheme, now in its 10th year, works by using the collective buying power of its members to negotiate exclusive cheaper tariffs from energy suppliers.

Lynne Melarangi from Runcorn signed up last autumn.

She said: “The last time we switched was around 15 years ago, so we were probably overpaying.

“I saw the collective switch advertised in the local paper. It was really easy and we should be saving around £425 a year on our energy bills.”

With the most householders still on their energy suppliers’ standard and often most expensive tariff, residents are encouraged to apply for savings.

Merseyside Collective Switch aims to negotiate the cheapest energy tariff on the market, which will only be available to its members.

Delivered by local charity, Energy Projects Plus, with Halton Council and the other Liverpool City Region authorities, the scheme has saved residents more than £1.2 million on their energy bills so far.

Previous winning tariffs have included Big 6 suppliers such as British Gas, E.on and EDF Energy as well as smaller suppliers such as Ovo and Green Energy.

The Merseyside Collective Switch also includes a full market comparison, so if the winning deals aren’t right for you, you can find one that is.

The service is free and there’s no obligation to switch if people change their mind afterwards.

Help and support is available from energy advisors who can guide resident through your top offers and help you complete your switch.

It only takes 15 minutes to switch and members saved an average of £235 a year on their energy bills in the last switch.

To register visit LCRenergyswitch.co.uk or call the Save Energy Advice Line on freephone 0800 043 0151.

Registration closes on October 16.