Over the last few months wholesale gas and electricity prices have increased to such a level that the supply companies can no longer carry the increase. Over the last year wholesale prices have increased by around 20% and gas transportation costs are widely tipped to increase by 5% in 2004.

Npower has around six million customers across the UK , particularly in Yorkshire and the North East. If you add the twelve million domestic consumers affected by the recent British Gas 5.9% price increase we now see nearly three quarters of UK households having to dig deeper in their pockets.

That said savings are still available for those that wish to take a few minutes to switch to a lower cost supplier using Energylinx. On average anyone using the Energylinx service can save around £150 on their domestic gas and electricity bills.

Mario Dunn, from the consumer group Energywatch, said changing suppliers was very simple and that a couple of phone calls could save consumers £100.

He said Energywatch can provide price comparisons for consumer's area, so they can find the best deal.

A month's notice is required, but switching companies helps force suppliers to make sure they provide good value, Mr Dunn said.

Sticking with them despite price increases encourages them to take advantage, he argued.

So our advice would be to spend sometime on the Energylinx website, enter your details and once you have found the least cost supplier take advantage of it and sign up now.