Autumn is officially here and many of us will have already turned up the thermostat.
The countdown to Halloween is on, woolly garments are out and the we're all preparing to turn the clocks back, resulting in darker evenings and an urge to pop the heating on.
But with many more of us working from home due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, gas and electricity bills could prove more expensive than usual.
Energy Helpline, which carried out the research, found the average household energy bill could increase by £107 for those working from home five days a week, reports The Mirror.
So as temperatures drop, how soon should you turn on your heating on this year?
The day the nation turns the heating on is estimated to be Sunday October, 23, according to money experts at energy savings company Utility Bidder, but that's not to say you can't turn it on whenever it suits you best.
They added: "There's no specific temperature at which you should be turning on your heating, as it will depend on how well insulated your home is (and what your ideal temperature is!).
"Better insulated homes will be able to keep warmer, even as the temperature outdoors cools, so every home will be different. However, the most effective way to control your heating is to use a room thermostat that is set between 18 and 21°C."
Households also stand to save hundreds by switching to a more competitive deal, you can do this up to 90 days before your tariff ends.
On October 1, energy regulator Ofgem introduced a new price cap for those on the most expensive deals.
It means the maximum households on standard variable tariffs can be charged is now £1,042 a year.
But comparison website Uswitch estimates there are currently 93 tariffs on the market that are well below the price cap rate.
It said on average, households can save £210 by shopping around.
Head of regulation at Uswitch.com, Richard Neudegg, explained to the publication: "It's easy to see this £84 reduction in the price cap as good news, but it is important to remember that there are better deals out there.
"There is a £210 difference between the new price cap and the cheapest fixed deal on Uswitch.com right now, which is a substantial saving for anyone who is out of contract with their supplier.
"The fall in the price cap is partly due to wholesale energy costs hitting record lows during lockdown, but as costs start to increase again, there is a danger that fixed deals could get pricier.
"Take time to compare energy deals online and see if you could be getting a cheaper tariff."
