Choosing a new gas or electricity tariff can be tricky as there are so many to pick from, and some options can be perceived as being needlessly complex, energy supplier E.ON has stated.

Anthony Ainsworth, sales and marketing director at the Big Six provider, noted that there are around 120 different tariffs available, and seven out of ten householders are not engaged in the marketplace.

However, there are plenty of things consumers can try in order to cut down their winter fuel bill.

"The first thing they can do is really encourage people to get engaged in the marketplace and check that they are on the best deal," said Mr Ainsworth.

"Look on the thermostat on the wall; just turning that down one degree can save £40 a year. Make sure that you're heating the rooms that you have to and that you stay warm in those rooms. Keep the lights on in the rooms where you need to keep them on, but not in the others."

Householders could also switch their old incandescent lights for new ultra efficient LED light bulbs, which should help to further reduce their electricity bills.

Not only do they need less energy to power them, LED lights emit a more powerful beam and come in a wide range of colours, so you no longer have to stick to the regular white-yellow illumination in your home.

Indeed, Aylesbury Vale District Council has decided to use LED lamps to light its town centre Christmas decorations this year, as it will cost much less to power them.

Councillor Brian Roberts told the Bucks Herald: "It is going to make a difference and you will see the difference.

"With LED lights the running costs are only 20 per cent of what it used to be. They also have timing switches so we can turn them off overnight so it is going to save even more money," he added.