Reduce Your Bills - Moneysupermarket.com Advertisement Feature

During the winter months, we all spend more on our utilities - in particular our gas and electric bills go soaring! As the days draw in, the lights go on, the heating is cranked up a notch and we bask in the warm glow of our plasma screen television sets for hours on end. Washing lines make way for tumble dryers and taking a stroll round the block gives way to the Wii Fit. It's easy to see how the average UK household can use up to 90% more energy during the winter months, resulting in a drain our finances as well as our natural resources.

To some extent we are in the hands of the big utility companies, unless you're happy living by candlelight and sourcing your water from the nearest well. However the consumer does have a choice and there's always a better deal out there to be found - if you're willing to find it. Energy companies are vying for your business - the industry is very competitive and you should take advantage of this.

Comparison websites such as Moneysupermarket.com offer users a tool where you are able to compare the price of gas and electricity from a wealth of suppliers. Moving to a cheaper energy supplier won't help you cut back on energy but it will save you money on the gas and electricity you do use. You could actually save as much as £325 a year by switching to a cheaper gas and electricity provider.

After you've bagged the best deal from the suppliers, there are many more things that you can do around your home to help cut your costs on your gas, electricity and water bills.

• Do you have spare bedrooms or rooms you rarely use? Why bother heating them, it only costs money and wastes energy.
• Insulate your loft - it costs just a few hundred pounds but will save you money for ever. It's also worth considering cavity wall insulation.
• Draw your curtains at night, it helps to keep the warmth in.
• Make sure you shut down or turn off anything you aren't using: Even leaving an appliance on standby or a mobile phone charger plugged in still uses electricity.
• Only use the washing machine or dishwasher when they are full as this means you have to do fewer loads.
• If possible, avoid using the tumble drier - hang washing outside when the weather's fine and let the sun bake it dry.
• Simply use a shower instead of a bath where possible - it uses much less water.

You can lower your utility bills when you switch your gas and electricity supplier with Moneysupermarket.com. Here you can compare energy providers within minutes and start saving immediately.