Actively choosing to monitor your energy usage could cut your winter fuel bills this year, saving you significant amounts of money.

Issi Lammas of Greenchoices.org pointed out that it only takes a small shift in behaviour to cut down on electricity consumption.

Turning off light switches and TVs, shutting down computers and unplugging equipment that is not being used could reduce the amount of energy being wasted, while looking for the most efficient model when shopping for new appliances will trim those electricity bills.

"Don't heat rooms unnecessarily - closing the curtains will keep the heat in and it is cheaper to put on a jumper than the heating," said Ms Lammas.

"Use timer controls to turn heating on and off as needed - turning down the thermostat by one degree C will cut heating bills by ten per cent."

Only filling the kettle for the number of drinks you are making and using the half load setting on your dishwasher and washing machine can also make a difference to the amount you pay for your electricity supply.

"Timer controls can be used to turn appliances on and off, if for example, you want some lights on for home security," Ms Lammas added.

Lighting is another area of your home where you can cut costs. Replacing old incandescent and fluorescent bulbs with LED light bulbs can spell better energy efficiency, plus LEDs have a much longer bulb life and need hardly any maintenance.

Technological advancements are happening all the time, meaning the newest batch of LEDs to hit the market are very energy efficient.

Indeed, research published last month in the Nature Photonics journal revealed that the next generation of optical devices could use non-polarising techniques to improve their efficiency and illumination, after scientists looked at ways in which some types of silvery fish use a trick of the light to avoid predators.