25 effective ways to cut your energy bills and myths dispelled

The average electricity bill is due to rise by nearly £700 from April - and for householders who have already seen the cost of everything rise in recent weeks it is not good news.

Ofgem, the energy regulator, announced on Thursday (3 February) that the price cap will increase by 54 percent.

This means energy bills will soar to £1,971 a year, an increase of £693.

Millions of people have already seen their energy bills change in recent months as gas and electricity providers collapsed and customers were forcibly switched to companies they didn't choose.

Read more:Cost of living calculator: Find out how much more you'll pay on bills after energy bill price hike

So experts have listed a number of simple steps you can take to cut your bills - minimising what could be a huge hike in your monthly payments..

Will Owen, energy expert at Uswitch said: "The Energy Saving Trust estimates you can save around £35 a year by remembering to turn your appliances off properly, and not leaving them in standby mode.”

Michael Reading at Housetastic added: “Set a timer early in the morning so your home is nice and warm as you get ready for the day, and perhaps set a timer in the early evenings, but generally the heating does not need to be on all day.

"It is estimated that turning the thermostat down by just one degree can save up to 10% on a fuel bill, not to mention the amount of energy."

Ensure that your radiators aren't being covered by furniture, as this can block heat from filling your home. A sofa or bulky chair will trap heat, meaning you’re paying for the warmth but not feeling the benefit of it.

Did you know fridge freezers can take up a third of all the power in your home?

Investing in an energy-efficient appliance should lower the