FIND THE BEST ENERGY DEAL

these tariffs will find themselves automatically switched to one costing them £ 150 a year more unless they take control themselves.

The good news is that those savvy enough to make the switch could save more than £ 200 by moving to a better deal and actually pay less than they are at the moment. If you’re planning to switch, be careful when you do it. With some deals there’s an exit fee of as much as £ 70 so you need to time the switch to ensure you don’t get stung by a penalty.

Clare Francis of MoneySuperMarket said: “Fixed energy deals have been a popular choice for bill payers looking to protect themselves from price hikes. With so many coming to an end over the next few months, it’s crucial those affected move to a new tariff to avoid being caught out by rocketing bills.

“Energy bills won’t be front of mind over the summer months for most, but just because the heating is off, doesn’t mean there aren’t savings to be made.” SWITCHING energy suppliers may seem like a daunting prospect, but most people find the process painless.

These days comparison websites such as MoneySupermarket, Energyhelpline and uSwitch will help you find the best deal and guide you through the switch.

The Cheap Energy Club run by Moneysavingexper t. com will find the cheapest deal for you, and alert you in future if it finds a better deal than the one you are on.

Before starting, have your gas and electricity bills for the last year to hand because they’ll show just how much energy you use. If you haven’t got these, the sites will estimate what you’ll use based on the number of the people in the household and other factors such as the number of rooms.

Once you’ve got a deal, remember to check regularly that it’s still the best one for you, and to take all the steps you can to save energy without leaving yourself cold.