Bill payers will face a £221 bill hike if they fail to switch to a fixed energy tariff in the next seven days.
With just one week left to avoid the staggering energy price rise, the government's price cap will see households pay 13 per cent more for their bills, leaving them hundreds out of pocket - but it can be avoided if these two simple steps are taken.
First, households should run a quick comparison to see which fixed tariff is best for their usage - with average savings of £316, it’s a crucial move - and can be done via an energy comparison website.
Then comes the switching, which involves just the click of a few buttons and will take minutes to do.
Once fixed, rates are locked, and the stress of higher costs over winter is taken away.
The tips come from the energy comparison website Uswitch, which has taken to high streets, cities and the countryside to warn the nation about the impending energy bill rises and encourage households to review their tariffs before higher prices take effect from 1 July.
Electric digivans, showing a live timer counting down until 1 July, have travelled through major cities across England, Scotland and Wales, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Llandudno, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield and York.
With only days left before households face the biggest energy price rise since the energy crisis, switching to a fixed deal is the single most important thing people can do to protect themselves.
Ben Gallizzi, an energy expert from the energy comparison site Uswitch.com, said: “The jump in energy prices might seem easier to bear in July while heating is off – but a graver concern is this setting the baseline for a further increase in October.
"If you haven’t switched in a while, you’re almost certainly on a standard tariff, and you will be impacted. Getting off a standard tariff and locking in a fixed rate deal should be an urgent priority for households."
In a study commissioned by the brand, as many as two thirds (63 per cent) of the 4,000 energy decision-makers weren’t even aware of the upcoming energy price cap coming into effect next week.
But 23 per cent of those who were aware say the price hike has left them feeling powerless over their bills, and a further 23 per cent are angered by it.
In a separate poll commissioned via OnePoll.com, 42 per cent of those currently on a standard variable rate – and who will be hit with the price rise – aren't considering switching to a fixed rate tariff before 1 July.
Exactly three in 10 are happy on their current plan – despite this meaning they’ll be paying more - while 22 per cent are hesitant about a long-term contract commitment.
Of the 2,000 household energy decision-makers that were polled, 20 per cent find comparing tariffs daunting, and 18 per cent wrongly believe switching to a fixed tariff will result in minimal or no savings.
If there was anything that would encourage them to switch, 29 per cent of non-fixed tariff users say it would be the protection against future price rises - something that a fixed tariff can guarantee.
Knowing it was an easy and simple process would sway 28 per cent as it emerged 15 per cent don’t feel confident about how to switch energy tariffs
Ben Gallizzi added: “For the millions of households on standard tariffs, this is your one week warning that your energy rates are rising on 1 July - unless you act now.
“There are many fixed deals available that are cheaper than the price cap, with average savings of over £300 on offer making it a crucial move.
“These deals might not be around for long, so take a few minutes to check online to see what deals are available to you.”
