Whether you decide to switch to a new energy provider or stay with your current supplier, it’s good to have a basic knowledge on how your energy bill works and get a good grasp on comparing the costs of other providers in order to make savings. You might find that your current provider is your best option at this moment in time but it’s always wise to shop around regularly and consider other providers first before you make any decisions.

Looking at your current bill, you will get a good indication of how much energy you are currently using, how much your current energy supplier charges you and information about the particular energy tariff you are on; whether that may be a single tariff which you are only paying for one form of energy or if it’s a dual tariff which generally combines gas and electricity together on one bill.

The best way to compare other providers is to use price comparison websites (particularly those which have been certified by the consumer focus confidence code). These websites enable you to compare various energy suppliers easily, without the hassle of seeking out the prices of each supplier individually.

The comparison website will normally require you to enter the details of your current energy consumption along with your address. This will give the website an estimate of how much of a saving you could make by switching to another provider or essentially proving that your current provider is well worth the money you pay for it.

It should be noted that some suppliers will offer you a range of discounts depending on how you pay your bill and which type of tariff you are using, for example, by taking out a dual tariff with a specific provider, you may find that they offer you a discounted rate for combining both of the services together. The way in which you pay your bill, for instance, direct debit, may also encourage a supplier to offer you further discount. Similarly, it's important to bear in mind that some suppliers will only list prices on their website rather than through price comparison sites, so it could be worth taking the time to check those too.

Whether you choose to switch electricitysupplier or stay with your current provider, it is always important to remember that by shopping around for the best deals, it is entirely possible to save money and It's just a case of working out what will work best for you.

Fiona Roy writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.