With recent increases in wholesale energy prices, the cost of running a home has risen dramatically. The question is, is it time for UK householders to start to change their ways and cut-back on the energy consumption?

Anyone who is paying for domestic fuel bills should be shopping about for the most cost-efficient energy provider. In fairness all the major UK energy suppliers are much of a muchness.

It would also seem that all major UK Energy suppliers have raised their prices over the last 18 months.

With the cost of harvesting natural energy supplies such as gas increasing, and stocks of natural energy continue to decline. The long-term picture looks bleak as it looks as though consumers will be saddled with further energy price increases in the coming months and years.

How much longer can energy costs continue to rise without it having a direct effect on peoples spending habits.

It comes as no surprise that more people on restricted budgets such as pensioners, the disabled and low income parents are finding it increasingly difficult to pay for basic services such as gas and electric.

Where once the UK could draw gas supplies from the North Sea, these natural havens of gas have diminished due to our ever hungry demand. In a strange twist of fate, the west is now becoming more dependant upon the East and specifically Russia and it's former federation countries for energy sources.

So what choices do consumers have when choosing an energy supplier? In fairness the options for domestic users are few and far between.

There are simple methods to usually gain additional discounts, these include:

- taking gas and electric from one supplier fora duel fuel discount

- paying by direct debit

- paperless bills via the internet

Your location can also restrict your choice of energy supplier.

If you are worried about the escalating cost of fuel bills, you could follow these simple tips to be more energy efficient:

- Central Heating: In the winter months, reduce your house thermostat by 1 degree.

- Electrical Appliances: Turn all electrical appliances such as TV's and DVD players off and not on standby.

- Light Bulbs: Use energy saving bulbs.

- Windows & Doors: Shake your windows and doors. If they rattle, seal with draft exclusion strip.

- Curtains: Draw them at night. If you have a radiator beneath the window, make the curtain long enough to tuck behind it or tuck the curtain into the frame of the window.

- Double Glazing: Think carefully before fitting double glazing unless you need to replace your windows. Double glazing is not cheap and take as much as 10 - 20 years to pay back through the energy saved.

- Roof Insulation: Great roof insulation is essential. Check to see if your current insulation is thick enough. Roof Insulation is fairly cheap to do.

- Unused Chimneys: If you have a chimney where the fire is not used much, block it with a chimney balloon. Chimneys can account for as much heat loss as much as all your rattly windows and doors put together.

- Energy Saving Appliances: Whenever you replace an appliance, from dishwasher to light bulb, go for the energy saving option, make sure the appliance is A rated.

- Winter Months: :In the winter, if the house is cold wear an extra one or two layers of clothing!

www.SearchandSave.com in conjunction with USwitch offer a service to help you find the most inexpensive energy prices possible.

UK Power Suppliers include: British Gas, LEB, NPower, Powergen, Scottish Power, ManWeb, SeeBoard and SwaLec.

If you feel your home of business energy costs are too much, you should enquire about tackling energy from a new supplier of cheaper gas and cheaper electric call www.SearchandSave.com on 0800 97 75 633 or visit www.searchandsave.com.