Consumers feel a chill over how to pay their energy bills

Around 65 per cent of people said they had been thinking about their energy bill more than usual because of the cold weather, while 38 per cent said they were worried about how they would pay it, according to Which? Switch.

The research found that 14 per cent dipped into their own or their children's savings to ensure they could afford to pay for their gas or electricity, and 18 per cent made cutbacks, such as cancelling gym membership or leisure activities.

People also took steps to try to reduce their energy usage during the cold spell, with 84 per cent wearing more clothes, while 73 per cent had warm drinks, 40 per cent ate a filling meal and 39 per cent blocked drafts under doors and windows.

A third of people also changed energy supplier or called their existing provider to check they were on the cheapest tariff.

Martyn Hocking, editor of Which?, said: "There's little choice but to turn the heating up when you're faced with cold weather, so it's inevitable that people are going to worry about their bills."

He urged people to check they were on the best deal and to see if there were any steps they could take to reduce their bill, such as paying by direct debit or moving to an online account.

Meanwhile, new rules from energy regulator Ofgem came into force this week under which people sold an energy tariff face-to-face, such as by a doorstep salesman, must be given a written quote before the sale can go through.

But comparison website uSwitch.com warned that while the move would give consumers' greater protection, it would not ensure they were offered the best deal by the energy company.

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: "This new rule is not about making sure consumers get the best deal, or even a better deal. It's about making sure they have written proof of what they've been offered."