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Winter fuel bills are a major worry to households every year. The long British winter can be extremely harsh, especially for older people or households with less money to spend on fuel.

With plenty of extra use of radiators, ovens and kettles in the winter, fuel costs increase significantly. So every household should think about ways to cut those winter fuel bills and stop wasting money.

Start with these simple steps to making your home warmer this winter:

• Open your curtains in the morning to let the sun shine through south facing windows

• Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping

• Switch off lights when you leave the room. Lighting costs account for 20% of the average electricity bill

• If you have ceiling fans, switch them on. Hot air rises, so a fan on a low setting will circulate heat throughout the room

• Avoid covering radiators with clothes or curtains

Try switching gas and electricity suppliers to get a better deal. In 2006, according to figures released by the energy regulator Ofgem, over four million customers voted with their feet and switched suppliers. The number of switchers for the first 10 months of 2006 was 750,000 higher than the same period in 2005. Make sure you’re not missing out on savings by comparing your energy supplier on uSwitch’s free and impartial comparison service. Go to the energy comparison service

Turning your central heating thermostat down

If you feel able to without risking your health, turning your heating down by just one degree could cut your bills by up to 10% and save you about £40 a year. However, if you switch to a cheaper supplier you might not need to.

Buy energy saving light bulbs

These last longer than ordinary bulbs and use a fifth of the electricity, saving you about £100 over the lifetime of the bulb, even when you take the higher initial price into account.

Draught-proof your windows and doors

Draughts can be fixed quickly and easily with minimal DIY skills. You might also need to replace any loose window locks.

Put aluminum foil behind radiators, especially those fitted to outside walls

Ordinary kitchen foil will do, or use specially designed panels from DIY shops. This will reflect heat back into the room.

Clean the back of your fridge and freezer regularly

Dust reduces their efficiency. If you are buying new appliances, it is worth considering that most have an energy efficiency rating of A to G. The closer to an A-rating, the better.

Improve your house's loft insulation

Insulating your loft could help you make big savings of up to £220 a year on your winter fuel bills. Lofts should be insulated to a minimum of 270mm. You can do this yourself or employ a contractor.

Treat your immersion heater to a new insulation blanket

This is especially important if it's an older model. Consult the manufacturer's equipment guide to check whether this is recommended.

If you can afford it, fit double glazing

The Energy Saving Trust suggests that if you can’t afford to replace all windows, start with those rooms that cost you the most to heat. It could cut heat loss through windows by half.

Service your central heating system

Central heating systems need a good annual check up to ensure that they are as efficient as possible - you might also want to upgrade equipment to help reduce gas usage. A well serviced boiler can reduce your energy bills.