According to the Energy Saving Trust, if everyone in a family of four swapped one bath a week for a five-minute shower, it could save up to £20 a year on their gas bill. And if you spend a minute less in the shower, then you could save an additional £7 per person every year. Consider changing your shower head to an eco version, too. Plus, a family of four can save around £75 a year on gas (and £120 on water if they have a meter).

Are you heating rooms that aren’t being used? Make sure all your radiators have thermostats on them – and use them. The Energy Saving Trust suggests that turning down your thermostat by just one degree could save around £75 per year. 

Also, check whether heat could be leaving your home through gaps. Thick curtains, draught excluders, even a piece of putty in a small gap around a window will help keep the heat in.

Energy suppliers are in the middle of a smart meter rollout, with the goal of offering one to every home in England, Scotland and Wales by 2020. A smart meter shows you how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence. Smart thermostats are also available, such as Nest and Hive, which give you maximum flexibility when it comes to managing your heating. You can even control your heating when you’re out, using your smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Read our guide to smart meters