Every round of energy price rises leaves millions of consumers worse off, so it pays to check your deal against the competition every few months.

The internet makes this simple. If you find that you are paying over the odds, changing provider is straightforward and could save you more than £300 a year.

Most deals have a 28-day notice period but no exit charge. Here is Times Money's quick guide to making the switch.

Compare prices

How to switch energy supplier

BACKGROUND

• How to complain

• How to protect your PC

• How to start a business

• How to shop around

• Your redundancy rights

The websites listed below can estimate providers' prices based on your household's recent bills and patterns of energy use. They use your postcode to narrow results to companies and offers available in your area.

Enter details of your gas or electricity deal – or both – to see how much you could save. Online tariffs and dual-fuel plans, where gas and electricity are supplied by the same provider, tend to be cheapest.

Compare service

Money savings are not everything - switching to an inferior service to save £5 a year could be a false economy. The website of Energywatch, the independent watchdog, details complaints against providers and is well worth a browse. Comments on dedicated internet forums, such as Moneysupermarket forums and Moneysavingexpert forums, may also be useful.

Make the move

Once you have decided to switch, the process itself is straightforward. First, call your existing provider to say that you are not happy and intend to switch. You may be offered a cheaper deal. If not, or if you are determined to switch regardless, contact the company you want to switch to for instructions. Alternatively, follow instructions on the comparison website that you used. The process should be smooth, but it does take about six weeks.

Keep switching

The best deal tomorrow may not be the best in six months. Keep checking and, if necessary, switching.

If things go wrong

If your switch does not work out through no fault of your own, complain and set a deadline –- ten days is good – for resolution. If this has no effect, contact Energywatch here. If you still have no result after eight weeks, contact the Energy Ombudsman.

Other ways to save

Switching supplier is of limited use if your home is not energy efficient. The Energy Saving Trust's Home Energy Check details basic measures that can save hundreds of pounds a year. Paying by direct debit can also bring substantial savings.

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Tips for greener, cheaper homes

Five websites

Energy Helpline

uSwitch

TheEnergyShop.com

Moneysupermarket

Ofgem

Videos

Click here for the Energy Saving Trust's videos on energy saving in the home