Millions of people have already been impacted by the energy crisis, with even more set to be hit by rising costs in the coming months.
The ongoing crisis has already resulted in countless energy firms going out of business and Ofgem has announced the average gas and electricity bill in the UK will increase by £693 a year - a 54% rise - from April.
It has left millions struggling to heat their homes and worried about how much their bills will rise in the coming months.
However, there are some simple ways you can reduce how much you are spending on your energy bills, save cash and minimise the financial impact on you and your household.
Turn off devices and lights when you aren't using them
Leaving devices switched on while plugged in wastes energy you aren't using. It has been estimated that one plug left switched on when not being used costs £0.27 - or around £99 per year.
Leaving a light on in your house costs an average of £170 per year, so make sure you switch off any unnecessary lights or lamps and use as much natural light as you can.
Don't leave devices on standby
While this isn't the problem it used to be - for example, EU law dictates that TVs and other devices made since 2013 can't use more than 0.5 watts in standby mode - devices like laptops, lights etc do use a small amount of power while on standby so it's worth switching them off when you're not using them.
While some appliances like freezers obviously must be left on, you could save around £30 per year by turning others off when not using them.
Turn your thermostat down
One of the easiest ways to reduce your bills is by turning your thermostat down, even slightly. According to MoneySavingExpert, for each degree you cut the thermostat, you can expect to cut bills by around 4%, or about £65 a year on average for a typical home.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says 18 degrees is usually enough for healthy adults, with slightly higher temperatures needed for the very old or young.
Fit a free water-saving shower head or slightly cut down on your shower time
Cutting down on your water bill can also help save on energy costs as, if you use less water, you're likely heating less water too.
Depending on your water supplier, you might be able to get a free water-saving shower head which could save a typical family around 2%, or about £35 a year on average for a typical home.
For those on Welsh Water, you'll have to use the online savings calculator to access the shower heads for free. You can find it here.
Cutting just a minute off your shower time could save £75 a year in energy bills and a further £105 a year in water bills if you have a meter – £180 a year for an average four-person household, according to MoneySavingExpert.
Wash more clothes, less frequently
You can also save on your water bills by putting on fewer washes but filling up more space in your washing machine. Though MoneySavingExpert suggests this might only save around £10 a year, every penny counts when bills are rising at the current rate.
The Energy Saving Trust reckons you could save £40 a year if you never use your tumble dryer at all, as the appliances tend to use a lot of energy, but if you do have to use them, the less you do the cheaper your bills will be.
Ensure radiators are not being covered
One piece of advice often cited by energy saving experts is making sure furniture is not covering radiators, as this can block heat from filling your home. A sofa or chair will trap heat, meaning you’re paying for the warmth but not feeling the benefit of it.
Think about how often you put the kettle on
We all know how much a cuppa can help us warm up, but even slightly cutting down on how often you boil water or how much you fill the kettle each time you do can help you save a small amount on your bills. Boiling the kettle once amounts to around 25p, so it's worth thinking about if you often re-boil after forgetting to use it after you've boiled it once.
Use radiator thermostats
Thermostatic radiator valves are an extra control which you can use to set the temperature of each individual room other than where your main thermostat is. When the temperature in that room rises above what's set on the radiator valve, it will stop water flowing through that particular radiator. The boiler will still be on to heat other rooms, but it will use less energy.
According to MoneySavingExpert, installing them and using them with your thermostat could save you almost 6%, or about £85 a year on average for a typical home, although an initial outlay is needed.
Keep doors closed when you have the heating on
When you do have the heating on, it is recommended that you keep the doors of rooms shut. This is so that the heat remains within the designated space and stops cold air entering.
Use thicker curtains
Investing in thicker curtains such as Thermaliner blackout curtains can help keep your home that bit warmer, especially if you're in an older property or somewhere where the heat could be escaping through cracks in the walls or window crevices.
If you're not prepared to go into the market for curtains, however, it helps to keep the curtains open during daylight hours to let the sunlight in and add natural heat to your home, but close them when the sun sets.
Put clingfilm on the windows
Yes, really. While it's one of the more bizarre tactics energy savers have come up with in recent years, the Energy Saving Trust says this one actually works. Putting a sheet on your window traps a small layer of air which can help stop heat escaping, providing an extra layer of glazing if it is airtight. However, specialist secondary glazing is probably preferable as it'll last longer.
Should I leave the heating on low all day or put it on high for a shorter time?
The debate over whether it is cheaper to leave the heating on low all day rather than just turning it on when you need it is a contentious one. The Energy Saving Trust is adamant you should only have your heating on when required, as if you're keeping the heating on all day you're also losing energy all day.
Others advocate keeping the heat on low all day while keeping radiator valves up to the maximum, saying turning the heat off builds condensation within the walls which can lead to homes leaking heat more quickly.
Ultimately, how much heat you use will determine what works best for you, but generally it is recommended only to have the heating on when you need it.
Should I turn off the hot water when I'm not using it to save money?
While some swear by turning your hot water on and off, there really isn't much saving to be had by doing this. It’s better to make sure that your boiler tank has a good insulating jacket so that the water doesn’t require reheating.
Should I paint my radiators black or put reflective panels behind them?
Another strange method posited by some energy savers is painting your radiators black. According to multiple experts this is unlikely to offer any benefit.
However, the Energy Saving Trust says putting reflective panels behind your radiator could help cut energy use. These reflect heat from the radiator back into the room so it doesn't escape through external walls. Doing this is most likely to benefit properties with walls that are not already insulated.
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