Energy bills this winter are likely to sky rocket past all previous predictions according to new forecasts just released.

Updated Cornwall Insight predictions, calculated using new methodology from regulator Ofgem, warn that there is set to now be an 81% rise to the energy price cap in October followed by a further 19% leap in January.

Surpassing all previous warnings, which just last week set bills at £3,300 by the autumn and £3,600 by the new year, the new template would make the average gas and electric bill now above £3,500 in just a few months time and a staggering £4,266 by the start of 2023.

This is all compared to a current price cap for gas and electric bills of £1,971 today for the average sized home using an average amount of energy over the course of a year.

The price cap, which is controlling the escalating costs of bills for 24 million British households, is seeing prices being pushed to record levels as it attempts to reflect volatile wholesale costs and other pressures on the UK's energy sector.

Consumer champion Martin Lewis - who had been on leave from work but broke from his holiday to address on social media the latest grim forecasts - says the situation is now desperate and people's livelihoods, mental well being and in some cases lives will depend on political leaders coming up with an action plan.

He wrote on Twitter: "The leadership must not ignore this portentous national cataclysm anymore."

The television presenter is calling for candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak to work together on help for the country while they compete to be leader of the Conservative Party.

Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insight, which conducts regularly analysis of the energy market, said its latest calculations come as a shock.

He explained: "While our price cap forecasts have been steadily rising since the summer 2022 cap was set in April, an increase of over £650 in the January predictions comes as a fresh shock.

"The cost-of-living crisis was already top of the news agenda as more and more people face fuel poverty – this will only compound the concerns."

Ofgem, which controls the price cap, previously raised or lowered the threshold twice each year in April and October but as part of efforts to respond more quickly to fluctuating prices it will now reassess the price cap every three months instead.

But if you want to cut back on the amount of gas and electric you use immediately, how can you do that and just how much money will it save you? We've 14 suggestions to help you make a start.

1. Unplug chargers

Unplugging chargers is among the 10 best ways, says British Gas, that you can cut energy usage at home. Once your device is fully charged get into the habit of pulling it from its charger. Not only will it save around £60 a year on your electric bills but it can help preserve the life of the battery inside the technology too.

2. Do full laundry loads

With detergents being as good as they are many experts now agree many of our clothes can be washed at 30C to help reduce energy usage.
Alongside altering the temperature, and perhaps the length of a cycle, if you can also cut your average number of cycles down by one a week you'll take £5 off your yearly energy bill - and these costs can add up!

3. Switch off at the wall

You can save around £55 a year by turning appliances off standby mode, says the Energy Saving Trust.

Almost all electrical appliances can be turned off at the plug without disrupting the programming or any saved settings while a standby saver or smart plug, which can help you turn all appliances off standby in one go, could be an investment if you're struggling to get round the house.

4. Turn off the lights

It can be one of the trickiest habits to get the kids into but turning off the lights each time you leave a room can stand to save you around £20 a year on the average energy bill for the average-sized house.

5. Be careful with the kettle

British Gas estimates as a nation, we're wasting £68 million worth of energy a year filling up kettles above the water level that we need. When making tea and coffee, avoid the temptation to fill to the top and just heat the amount of water you require. Potentially, says the firm, it could save you a third of what you have been using.

6. Microwave more

Because it's quicker it will be most likely using less energy so if you wish to heat something up that be done either in the oven or microwave - opt for the the latter if you can. Slow cookers are also one of the most energy efficient appliances you will find in your kitchen so it could be worth considering purchasing one of those too if you don't use one already.

7. Make your oven multi-purpose

Ovens can account for about 8% of the electricity used by appliances at home - but there are ways to use them in more energy efficient ways.

Avoiding the temptation to continually keep opening the door, which then forces the appliance to have to reach its core temperature again, cooking several dishes at once to cut down on energy use and time, cooking food in smaller pieces to it can cook more quickly and keeping the oven clean so it works efficiently and heat is distributed evenly can all help save the pennies when you do need to switch it on.

8. Buy energy efficient appliances

No, we're not suggesting swapping old for new in order to save money. But if something needs replacing don't dismiss the energy ratings on appliances you see advertised.

An A+++ washing machine can use £65 less energy than an A+ one over an 11-year product lifespan, says MoneySuperMarket, while an energy efficient dishwasher costs £7 less to run compared to an older model.

And if you need to switch your fridge freezer, an A+++ model will save around £320 in the course of its lifetime compared to an A+ model.

9. Close the curtains at night

Much has been said about closing curtains during this summer's heatwaves to keep the heat out and the cool air in, but the same rules apply as we head towards autumn and the air inside is warmer than that outside.

Keeping the curtains closed once evening time arrives will help conserve the warm air that's inside your home and and mean you need to use radiators and heating a little less on chilly evenings, or at least before we officially reach the depths of autumn and winter.

10. Invest in a drying rack

We're all pushed for time these days but if you can cut back on using your tumble dryer during the warmer and drier months the Energy Saving Trust says you will save your home more than £60 a year.

An airer or clothes drier for items you don't need immediately could be a savvy investment if you're trying to cut back on electricity consumption.

11. Swap the bath for a shower

We all enjoy a long soak in the tub sometimes, and bathing children is often easier than battling them into a shower, but if your family can swap just one bath each week for a shower it'll save you £12 a year says the Energy Saving Trust.

12. Take speedier showers

Can you shower in four minutes or less? The Energy Saving Trust says if you can, you stand to save more than £70 a year on your energy bills.

13. Fill the dishwasher

The dishwasher will use the same amount of water whether it's full to the brim of half empty and that water has to be heated.

Putting dishes and cups in throughout the day and then running it once in the evening will use less water and less energy, in turn saving you money, and be more efficient than filling up your sink and washing things up by hand.

14. Be water wise

You can save around £25 a year, says MoneySuperMarket, by using a washing up bowl rather than regularly cleaning something under a running tap. So if there's the odd thing that needs washing up waiting by the sink resist the temptation to do it until you've a few more items to hand and then run a full bowl.