It’s not often I write about the price of a barrel of oil. Yet in recent weeks we saw something extraordinary happen.

The US oil price went negative, they couldn’t sell it, That’s why everyone should check their tariff and take advantage of historically low oil prices.

No one knows what’ll happen to the market going forward.

We thought Brexit caused uncertainty, coronavirus makes that look like child’s play. That’s why I would suggest you look at getting a fixed tariff.

That way the rate you pay is locked in, for at least a year – what you actually pay depends on usage – but by locking in you get today’s historically cheap rates.

MORE: Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert: 12 furloughing need-to-knows for employees and firms• How cheap do these cheap fixed tariffs go?

The typical big six standard tariff is within a pound of the £1,127/year price cap for someone with typical usage.

Yet, for the same usage the new cheapest 1yr fix is £774/yr on average, that’s £350/year cheaper with Green Network Energy.

Other fixes that will typically save people on standard tariffs over £300 include, Tonik Energy, British Gas, Avro, EDF and E.on – just to show you the range.

Though it’s important to note many of these tariffs are for new customers only, not existing.

Yet don’t worry, if you were with EDF and wanted to stick with a big name, there’s Eon or British Gas to choose, or vice versa. There’re so many cheap deals you’ve lots of choice.

• To find your cheapest, do a comparison.

Exactly who your winner is depends on your usage and where you live, as prices vary regionally. So, to find your cheapest tariff use a comparison site – plug in your details and it calculates your exact winner and saving.

You can use my www.cheapenergyclub.co.uk (which also gives £25 dual fuel cashback you don’t get direct) or go to any www.ofgem.gov.uk approved comparison site.

This is important as some of the cheapest tariffs – especially the super-cheap ones from the big six providers like British Gas for example, are only available via comparison sites. 

You can’t just call it up and ask for it. This also gives you the advantage of seeing how the deal stacks up for you.

Though beware, as comparison sites are allowed to only show you tariffs that pay them, and most do that, which means you may not see all the deals (for the sake of transparency my Cheap Energy Club always does default to showing all the deals).

And it is worth noting these comparison sites don’t apply for Northern Ireland as it has different tariffs, there you’ll need the www.consumercouncil.org.uk tool.

• Not sure of your details, don’t let that stop you.

Even if you just know your existing providers name you can do it. Of course, it’ll be more accurate if you have your tariff details and can plug your usage in too.

Yet if you’ve not switched in years, you’re almost certainly on an expensive standard tariff, and overall the sin of inaction is usually bigger than the sin of inaccuracy – so if you don’t know the comparison site will estimate it for you. This will only take you a few minutes. 

Then it’s switched over in 17 days. And if you’re worried about the practicalities of switching, other than who is billing you and service, very little changes.

MORE: Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert: An urgent warning to anyone who’s never owned a homeIt’s the same pipes, gas, meter, safety – you don’t lose supply – the only difference is price and customer service. And no one needs to visit right now.

The only time that’ll happen is if you need a smart meter fitted, as some cheap tariffs require you to have one, but you can still get those tariffs now and they’ll only come and fit them once it’s safe to do so after lockdown.

• Those on prepayment meters can save too – but not as much

If you pay by a key or card meter, as many of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable do, then outrageously there’s nowhere near as much competition, and you pay more – though prices have been capped which has helped a touch.

If you do a comparison there are often savings to be made, but often less than £100.