Switching to a different energy provider or tariff could be all it takes to significantly lower your energy bills this winter, National Energy Action has pointed out.

Sarah Wright, senior campaigns and communications officer at the organisation, said moving over to another supplier could knock off £200 or £300 off your annual gas and electricity bill, particularly if this is your first time switching.

"If you have access to the internet, using price comparison sites can prove an easy way to compare different tariffs, just make sure to look out for the Consumer Focus Confidence Code logo, which indicates that a site is transparent and unbiased," she advised.

"Many of these sites can also be contacted by phone, or you can phone each supplier directly to check out their best deal. It is also always worth speaking to your current supplier to find out if you are on their cheapest tariff."

If you are concerned about the impact recent energy hikes are going to have on your finances, it might be worth looking at ways in which to retain the heat and light in your house so that you are not paying for energy to escape from your property.

LED light bulbs are one way to do this, as they are designed to operate on smaller amounts of energy, emit more illumination and last longer than most traditional incandescent lights. They also require very little in the way of maintenance, so once fitted you can leave them to it.

In addition, LEDs are not just suitable for interior space - you can also install them outside of your property, such as in floodlights, uplights and driveway lights.

Take the 3x1 Watt High Power LED Drive/Walk Over Light from Meteor Electrical, which is perfect for outside decking, walkways and drive over applications. Its stainless steel casing protects the light from damage by dust and water, ensuring you don't need to take any other precautions to cover it over when it rains.