Soaring energy costs prompted four million Britons to change their gas suppliers last year, energy regulator Ofgem has revealed.
The figures reveal that 750,000 more people switched suppliers between January and October 2006 than the previous year, with the average person cutting their bills by around £150.
"Energy customers have given expensive suppliers the boot with over four million moving to a cheaper supplier in the first ten months of 2006," said Ofgem chief executive Alistair Buchanan.
He added that, as a result, energy giant British Gas was left with under half of the market share.
According to research by price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, the average gas and electricity bills ring in at £631 and £377 respectively, with a British Gas customer paying up to £1,056.
"Last year saw sustained hikes in energy prices, so it's no surprise millions looked to combat their soaring bills by swapping to a cheaper supplier," moneysupermarket.com's head of utilities, Paul Schofield, commented.
Many people find they can cut energy bills by installing insulation at home.
Click here for a selection of double glazed windows and doors from Safestyle which can help cut energy bills.
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