There are lots of great reasons to get out and about in the winter: long walks on the beach, admiring the Christmas lights and, if we're lucky enough to have snow, building snowmen. And it's even better when you return to a warm and cosy house.

But with the prospect of an increase in heating bills as temperatures drop, you could find yourself hesitating to turn up the thermostat. However, in just a few minutes you could save hundreds on your energy bills by switching your gas and energy provider.

Reader Offers Plus has teamed up with uSwitch, which is accredited by Ofgem, to provide a completely free comparison.

You might be surprised at how much you could save. Between April 1 and September 30 this year, at least 10pc of people who switched energy supplier for both gas and electricity with uSwitch saved £491 or more.

This is mainly because six in 10 energy customers in Britain are languishing on standard variable tariffs - among the most expensive deals on the market.

If you still think it's more hassle than it's worth, think again. All you need is a recent energy bill - or details about your energy habits - for a personalised energy comparison in minutes. You can then review the results in an easy-to-understand table and choose the best deal for you.

There are no third party sites; all you have to do is confirm with uSwitch. And there's no need to contact your old supplier – that's all taken care of for you.

Plus get a free case of wine worth £60 when you switch your gas and electricity.

So act now, and soon you can settle in for those long winter nights, heating on, without worrying about your energy bill.