It is just a matter of months ago that UK consumers were revelling in the economic good times, with millions taking a relaxed attitude to their personal finances.

As well as taking out large mortgages or jetting off on several foreign holidays a year, courtesy of generous credit card rates, relatively low utilities tariffs allowed many households to adopt a slack approach to domestic energy usage, often failing to switch energy suppliers and find a better deal.

Across the country, millions of lights were left on, or electrical appliances switched to standby, often due to simple apathy or laziness, with direct debits picking up the bills almost unnoticed.

Now, however, as utilities providers hike up their rates in response to the soaring wholesale cost of oil, the situation could not be any more different, with energy experts warning that those Brits who have in the past taken a carefree attitude to gas and electricity consumption are likely to be in for a nasty economic jolt when the next bill lands on their doorsteps.

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the cost of fuel and light within the UK has risen by a massive 39.6 per cent over the 12 month period to the end of September, helping drive the overall rate of consumer inflation up past the five per cent mark.

At the same time, figures compiled by the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes show that some £6.8 billion is wasted on energy across the country each year, equaling out to an average of £113 per person.

Furthermore, with the amount of heat lost through homes and roofs each year estimated to be able to provide 12 months of power for an additional 2.2 million homes, it is clear that many are failing to take heed of advice and will therefore soon find themselves paying the cost.

Melanie Russell, head of communications at Anglian Home Improvements, warned: "At this particular time when the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer, we are going to be using more fuel to heat our homes and we are going to be putting the lights on a lot more.

"Suddenly all the causes of rising fuel and energy costs that have been going on throughout the summer are going to manifest themselves and we are all going to sit down and get a big shock when our next bill comes in."

However, while the implications of failing to take steps to reduce energy consumption may indeed be eye-wateringly expensive, the pre-emptive solutions needed couldn't be simpler.

In addition to switching off unnecessary appliances or lights and shutting windows, bills can also be slashed significantly by switching energy suppliers, a measure that, thanks to the dawn of the internet and price comparison services, couldn't be easier.

Indeed, just as there is now no excuse to be oblivious to the environmental costs of energy over-consumption, so too is there no excuse for failing to shop around for the best deal and switching suppliers if necessary.