This year’s over-extended winter couldn’t have come at a worse time. The increased demand for fuel has pumped up wholesale gas and electricity prices. Some pundits predict another energy price hike round towards the end of the year, hoicking prices by 10%.

With the average price at £1,400 a year, this would pump it up to £1,540 – a huge burden that would leave many choosing between heating and eating. So even if the sun’s shining, there’s never been a more important time to sort your energy bills. Here are my need-to-knows:

Ensure no price hikes for TWO winters and save £200/year

EDF's launched a new tariff that can provide welcome respite for many. Do a comparison and it may not come top, so many will miss it. Yet it's certainly one to consider.

The EDF Blue Feb 2015 fix (my.edfenergy.com/gas-electricity/blue-plus-price-promise) will save someone with typical bills on a standard dual fuel tariff £200 a year. Crucially, it lets you lock in the rate, guaranteeing no price hikes for 22 months.

Better still, it doesn’t have early exit penalties, so in the unlikely scenario that other prices drop, you can leave.

Don’t assume it's automatically best for you. That depends your current tariff, your usage and location. Follow the steps below to compare it to other deals.

Join my free Cheap Energy Club

Switching tariff to save's crucial. The problem's most deals only last a year or two, then you’re bumped back onto costly standard tariffs.

To fight back, I’ve set up moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub. It compares to check you’re on the cheapest tariff now (to see the EDF Blue price, click the ‘fix’ tab). If not, it shows the cheapest – and gives £30 dual fuel cashback if it can switch you.

Then each month, without you doing anything, it does a background comparison to see if you're still on the cheapest and alerts you when you need move again. Over 300,000 people have joined in the first few months.

If you just want to do a standard comparison, or do it by phone if you’re not online you can go to energyhelpline.com (0800 074 0745), energylinx.co.uk (0800 849 7077) or uswitch.com (0808 178 3492).

Direct debit is 5%-10% cheaper

If possible, pay by fixed MONTHLY direct debit for a discount. Though always do regular meter readings for accuracy, as your bill is estimated. As energy usage is seasonal, you will find yourself in credit in summer and debit in winter. If you find you’re too heavily in credit, you can get a chunk of the amount you've overpaid back before arranging for a lower direct debit.

Prepaid (key or card) energy meter?

You can still often switch and save. Prepaid comparisons are possible at energyhelpline.com, Moneysupermarket.com and uswitch.com. It can be worth it, with £150 a year price differences for some.

Though more competition and cheaper tariffs are available on a normal billed meter. So speak to your energy firm to see if you can move off prepay to a normal billed meter. Some let you do it for free.

Mythbusting – is it cheaper to leave the heating on low all day?

This is a common urban myth, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Yet you save energy, and therefore money, by only having the heating on when it's required. Using a timer is best, as your thermostat is designed to turn your heating system on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set it.

Green Deal - is it worth it?

The Green Deal's designed to let you pay for energy-efficient home improvements such as underfloor heating, double glazing, efficient boilers, loft and solid wall insulation from the 'savings' you make on energy bills.

It can be a boon for many, though you’ll usually need pay for an inspection first. If you’re going to do it, do it as soon as possible, as millions of pounds of cashback's available to first adopters.

Sadly, the scheme's too complex for its own good. To work out if it's right for you, you need do your reading. Full help at www.moneysavingexpert.com/greendeal

Free £150 insulation for some (quick)

The days of free insulation for all have gone, but some pensioners and others on certain benefits can still get loft and cavity wall insulation for nothing – apart from those in housing association or council properties (as they should've been insulated).

Energy firms giving free insulation include British Gas (britishgas.co.uk/freeinsulation) and Scottish Power (scottishpower.co.uk/energy-efficiency). You don't have to be one of their customers – check their sites to see if you're eligible.

Slash £100 a year off boiler cover costs

Summer's wonderful time to get any boiler work you need done, as the urgency of no heating is less.

When it comes to boiler insurance, don't mistakenly think you need to use your energy provider's cover.

You can do a comparison to find the cheapest on Uswitch.com, plus check npower.com, homeenergyservices.co.uk and greeninsurancecompany.co.uk that it misses.

Also check if you're already covered by your home insurance. Some contents policies include boiler cover, either as standard or a paid-for extra.

Don't walk around in your undies

It’s not just better rates that cut your bills, but using less energy too. It's surprising how many pay heftily to turn up the thermostat while they are barely dressed.

If it's cold, wear a jumper

Dropping the heat one degree can save £60 year. Don’t dismiss ideas like sausage dog draft insulators either. Small changes can really slash bills.