Households can prevent high winter energy bills by switching online

With the "Deep Freeze" sending chills through households in the UK, moneysupermarket.com warns British bill payers they will use around 40 per cent of their annual energy consumption over the winter months^.

Analysis from the price comparison site found a customer on a standard tariff, paying an average £1,232 a year by quarterly cash and cheque (QCC), could face a whopping bill of £493 next month - crippling for any unsuspecting household in the wake of an expensive festive season.

But, by swapping to the best available online deal, and paying by monthly direct debit, annual energy consumption would come in at £934 a year, a saving of £299, or 24 per cent off your annual bill.

Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com said: "Brits will be brought back down to earth with a bump this New Year when a huge energy bill lands on their doorstep. Many bill payers will have cranked up the heating in their homes during the "Deep Freeze" - the National Grid reports demand for gas in the UK has hit record levels as people keep their homes warm - and will soon be hit with unexpectedly high energy bills, an expensive way to top off this costly period.

"I advise any customers languishing on their provider's standard deal, whether worried about post-New Year bills or not, to swap to a monthly direct debit scheme and manage their account online - a standard QCC customer could save an average £299 a year - an easy move to make and something cash strapped Brits should seriously think about."

According to a recent poll of moneysupermarket.com users, two in five  people are taking energy efficiency measures in their homes and a further 39 per cent of people would do more for their home's energy efficiency with the help of financial assistance, yet one in five (19 per cent) people say they cannot make homes more energy efficient, either because they cannot afford to or are simply not interested.