Snow fell during October for the first time in decades across many parts of the country this week, reminding householders that winter is on its way.

According to Energyhelpline.com, the price comparison and switching service, the cost of gas and electricity will rise to an eye-watering average of £1,500 for each household by early next year, so it makes sense to use any means available to cut these bills.

There are grants and discounts towards loft and wall insulation under the Government's £1bn package to help people cope with rising energy bills. This is one of the most efficient means of reducing energy usage, as 50pc of a house's heat is lost through the roof and walls.

Rob Bell, advice manager at the Energy Saving Trust, said: "If you own your home and have a cavity wall or loft, then it is more than likely you will be able to get a grant or discount of some sort. To find the best one for you ring our helpline and we will get details and give advice on what's available.

"Energy suppliers will run their own discount schemes under the Government's programme, but the money that they provide can also be available through locally based council schemes.

"The standard cost is about £500 for cavity wall insulation and £500 for a loft for a three-bedroom semi, and discounts range from a few hundred pounds to about 60pc, with more or the full sum paid for pensioners and those on benefits."

Tesco announced this month that it is offering cavity wall and loft insulation free to the over 70s and to those on qualifying benefits. For others, it will install either for a subsidised fee, reclaiming additional costs through the government's grants.

If you already have between 6cm and 15cm of insulation you will pay a subsidised fee of £149, or £199 if you have 15cm and want to increase this to the recommended 27cm of insulation.

The supermarket giant insulated 50 homes in a trial over the summer and hopes to insulate half a million British homes in the next three years. The subsidised price for loft or cavity-wall insulation is subject to a free survey and may be higher for particularly large properties or those requiring additional work. The service is open to homeowners, residential landlords and private tenants.

However, Friends of the Earth and Help the Aged have pointed out that government measures do little to help anyone whose home was built before the 30s and does not have cavity walls. Yet there are other means of fighting rising energy bills.

Mark Todd of Energyhelpline.com said: "If you're going on a freebie hunt for cheap energy efficiency items the best places to start are the Energy Savings Trust and your supplier. Both tend to have funds available to homeowners who want to become more energy efficient, so give them a call and you could benefit from free energy saving light bulbs, for example."

At energysavingtrust.org.uk you can receive a report telling you how you can save up to £250 a year on your household energy bills. The tips may include turning your room heating thermostat down by 1C to cut your heating bills by up to 10pc, for example, saving you around £40 per year.

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