Domestic energy bills are set to soar by an additional £14 million a week, as the UK’s energy industry continues to increase it prices, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Increases of approximately five percent from the major gas and electricity suppliers will add around £30 a year to the average household’s energy bill.

Households can protect themselves against the increase of energy prices by introducing simple energy efficient measures into the home, which will help reduce their household fuel bill.

Mr Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said the adoption of energy efficiency measures was the principal weapon in the battle to substantially reduce energy bills for all UK households.

“The continued price rises witnessed recently in the energy industry are bad news for millions of UK families this winter. Action is needed to address escalating fuel bills and improve the quality of our homes,” he said.

"Simple measures such as the switch to energy efficient lightbulbs would help homes offset the latest energy supplier price hikes, and even bigger savings could be made by insulating your loft and walls and installing efficient heating systems."

By adopting these key energy efficient practices the average UK household could reduce their energy bills by up to £200 a year — improving the warmth of the home in the process.

Switching televisions & videos off standby and draught proofing will help reduce the amount of fuel used in the home, therefore reducing carbon dioxide emissions and lessening the impact of higher energy bills on the household.

Financial grants are available to help meet the cost of making homes more energy efficient. For more information about the grants available across the United Kingdom log onto the Energy Saving Trust’s website www.saveenergy.co.uk or call the Energy Efficiency hotline on 0845 727 7200