How to cut the costs of your energy bills
A third of working families struggle to pay their energy bills and half are planning to cut their use in order to be able to afford them, a new survey has found.
The poll for uSwitch also found that 29% are not switching on their heating when the house is cold, despite 66% worrying about the effects on their families' health.
The findings come ahead of widespread predictions that major energy suppliers will raise their prices.
Claire Osborne, energy spokesperson at uSwitch, said: "It's appalling that even families in work are struggling to pay their energy bills - and we haven't even seen any major price hikes for nearly three years.
"The biggest worry is that, with signs that prices are on the up, many more families could feel forced to keep the heating down in what's set to be a very cold winter."
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) reported earlier this year that consumers are spending £1.4 billion more than they need to on gas and electricity by remaining on expensive standard variable tariffs.
With energy bills something all households have to pay and the weather about to get colder, how can you reduce the costs?
The Energy Saving Trust has these tips to help you start saving money straight away:
Turn off lights and appliances when they're not in use. Turn them off standby as well
Don't overfill your kettle, only boil as much water as you need
Use a lower temperature on your washing machine
Draught-proof doors and windows
Get an eco shower head to reduce the amount of hot water you use for washing
Insulate your hot water cylinder
Make sure your heating controls are set to only give you hot water and heating when you want them
Long-term savings
Ensure your house if insulated eg. loft or cavity wall insulation
Ensure your house is double glazed
If you don't have it already, get central heating in your house
Make sure your boiler is working efficiently
Gas is cheaper than electricity
Compare the different energy suppliers to see which could offer you the best deal
Cold Weather Payment
You may be entitled to a Cold Weather Payment if you receive certain benefits.
If you qualify for the payment you will receive £25 if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or less for seven consecutive days between November 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017.
Winter Fuel Payment
You could get between £100 and £300 to help pay your heating bills if you were born on or before May 5, 1953.
If you get the state pension or certain other benefits then you normally get a Winter Fuel Payment automatically, if you do qualify but you're not being paid automatically you will need to make a claim.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
Under the Warm Home Discount Scheme you could get £140 off your electricity bill.
You qualify for the discount if on July 10, 2016, your energy supplier was part of the scheme, you are the bill payer, and you were getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.
You may be able to apply directly to your electricity supplier if you don’t get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit but you're on a low income or you get certain means-tested benefits.
If you qualify for the discount you will receive a letter through the post by December 16.
Install renewables
Instead of buying your energy from suppliers you can generate your own by installing renewables technology.
If you decide to do this make sure it is done through a certified installer and get several different quotes.
You may be able to get financial support and incentives to help finance the installation costs.