Utility bills – we all get them and we all want to keep them as low as possible. You can squeeze the most value from your bills by taking a two-pronged approach:

• Shop around for the best deal – with so many special offers out there, how can you be sure you are getting the best? Several commercial websites allow you to compare utility bills, including gas, electricity, telephone and water. But remember that different companies offer different levels of service so a straight price comparison is not always the best guide. Providers change their prices all the time, so it is important that you check them on a regular basis to ensure you continue to get the best deal; if you see a better deal elsewhere, switch again.
  
  
• Run your appliances efficiently. Considerable savings can be made by making some changes to your home or altering your habits. Follow the example of the Queen and turn off unnecessary lights and heating; close curtains and don’t leave the TV or PC on standby. The government's Energy Savings Trust promotes energy savings in the home. It offers an enormous range of money-saving tips and a virtual home tour of the chief energy wasters. Did you know that turning down your thermostat by just one degree could cut your central heating bill by ten per cent? Replacing an old boiler could reduce the bill by 32 per cent, while an energy efficient washing machine could use up to 33 per cent less energy.
  
  
• www.est.org.uk/.

Check out the web sites of the utility regulators for efficiency information:

• Gas and electricity (Ofgem) www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem/index.jsp
• Water (Ofwat) www.ofwat.gov.uk
• Telecoms (Ofcom) www.ofcom.org.uk/

Other ways to cut bills

• Many companies offer savings if you pay by direct debit or by paying on-line – of up to ten per cent.
  
  
• Grants are often available for improvements like loft and cavity wall insulation. Contact your local authority or use the grant-finder facility on The Energy Savings Trust website.

Gas and Electricity

Deregulation of gas and electricity enables householders to choose between different companies. Savings of around £100 can be made by switching companies. There are more than 20 gas and electricity suppliers in the UK. While it was difficult to compare prices when the markets first deregulated, it is now much easier. The official consumer watchdog is Energywatch, www.energywatch.org.uk/.

It publishes bi-monthly comparison tables on its website, which will show you in how much can be saved. You can also get an idea about the customer service records of companies. It represents both home and business users and provides free, impartial advice. It has details of complaints, while other sites provide other customer satisfaction indicators.

What about dual-fuel?

Many of the suppliers in the market now offer "dual-fuel" deals - they will supply you with both electricity and gas. This is convenient because you will get only one bill and need deal only with one supplier. However, these deals are not always cheapest.

Telephone

It is possible to save an extraordinary 90 per cent on your home phone bill by finding the best deal. Further reductions can be made by taking advantage of low tariffs for off-peak times or frequently dialled numbers.

With mobile phones, there is a bewildering array of deals, all offering something different. But there are ways to compare prices. Before you buy, it helps if you have some idea of your general usage, perhaps from old telephone bills. Many mobile services and prices change so often that price comparisons are quickly out of date. The best deal depends on each customer’s needs and usage pattern. (See our mobile phone guide.)

Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services. Where you see a website displaying the Ofcom PASS logo you know that it complies with a strict code of practice and should provide you with independent, accurate and up-to-date price information. The agency also has advice on choosing the right phone provider: www.ofcom.org.uk

Water

Having a water meter installed can reduce your bills if your household is small or your usage is low.

If you are already on a meter it pays to stem wasteful ways. Water providers are awash with good advice on how to save water. According to Thames Water a typical household could save 15-baths of water each week by following a few simple tips, such as dropping a “Hippo” into the toilet cistern, using a water butt in the garden and taking a shower instead of a bath. www.thameswateruk.co.uk/waterwise/