How to cut your utility bills

Changing your energy supplier is just one way to save money. If you cut the amount of energy you use - and waste - this will also help to cut your bills - often without you even noticing.

The Energy Saving Trust website has a handy tool that will help you to work out how much energy you're wasting unnecessarily. It only takes 5 minutes and will suggest home efficiency changes that will help to reduce your home's carbon emissions and save you money.

Rather usefully the recommendations will give you an idea of the cost of any energy saving measures relative to the amount of time it will take you to recoup the cost of installation through your energy bills - so you can see which are going to work out most cost-effective for you in both the long and short-term.

You can also use the Energy Trust's website to find out whether you qualify for any energy efficiency grants or discounted services. This is well worth checking as many such grants are available.

Don't forget, if you are a homeowner, structural changes like cavity wall insulation are not only likely to offer smaller bills, but also are likely to boost the value and saleability of your home.