Start preparing for your winter energy bills

Winter might still be a couple of months away but now is the time to start trying to keep those energy bills down.

During the summer months it is sometimes difficult to remember what it's like to have to crank the heating up and wear two pairs of socks just to stay warm.

Lighter nights and warmer days mean that smaller energy bills are dropping through the post box each month.

But, if the big freeze in January taught us anything, it's that bills don't stay this budget friendly all year round, and now is the ideal time to start thinking about the more energy intensive times ahead.

A recent survey by the Home Heat Helpline shows that a third of adults in the UK are already worrying about how cold it will get this winter, with 44 per cent admitting they're concerned about the effect this could have on their energy bills. This figure rises even higher to 50 per cent for pensioners.

And the simple message from the Home Heat Helpline for those who are concerned about their budget over the coming months is to "act now".

One of the key pieces of advice from Julian Troake, energy surveyor and spokesperson for the Home Heat Helpline, is to insulate your home.

While the upfront cost of this may be prohibitive to some, it will make a huge difference to the temperature of your house and the cost of your energy bills - £265 a year in some cases. If that wasn't enough, figures from the government released recently show that almost 58 per cent of the energy we use goes on heating our home.

What's more, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation can be provided free of charge for people on certain benefits and those over the age of 70.

"Keep your house insulated before the mad rush comes...don't wait," Mr Troake advised, adding that anyone who is privately renting their homes can contact their landlord.

If you're thinking of switching energy supplier in preparation for the colder weather and darker nights then you shouldn't really leave it any longer either.

Suppliers started issuing their annual energy statements last month providing details of the tariff you're on, the amount of energy you use and an estimate of how much it costs you each year.

If you've recently received yours this could help you when comparing tariffs and looking at the kind of savings you need to make. All households in the UK should receive their statements by December.

Once you've completed your research a tariff change will typically take four to six weeks to go through, meaning even if you switch today it could be the end of September before the changes take effect.

To further save money, simple steps such as bleeding your radiator and lagging our boiler can ensure your heating system is working most efficiently. Radiators which have not been bled properly in some cases will provide inconsistent heat and have patches which are warmer or cooler than others.

After a few months being switched off it is also worth getting the central heating system checked, and August is the ideal time if you want to beat the autumn rush. The Heating and Hot Water Industry Council recommends that boilers should be checked once a year and this will typically cost between £50 and £75.

It could also be worth investing in heating cover, which can insure your boiler, controls, heating system and even labour and spare parts – which could prove invaluable if it breaks down when you're preparing for Christmas and the budget is a little tight!