... and look out for the best service

THE biggest concern for many people will not just be price but also customer service.

Smaller suppliers that are more costeffective for individual fuel types might not be top performers in terms of managing accounts. Choosing two contracts may also mean signing up to two different tariff periods.

For example, the cheapest electricity deal might be for one year, while the best gas deal is for 18-months. This throws annual switching out of kilter. Anyone determined to stick with a Big Six supplier – British Gas, SSE, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, npower or E.On – will be better off by £76 on average if they stick with the cheapest dual fuel deal available.

To compare tariffs specific to your usage get a copy of your annual statement from your existing supplier.

This will help produce more accurate results on websites such as TheEnergyShop or energyhelpline, which can also be contacted on 0800 0740745.