Property owners are being encouraged to cut their utility bills over the festive period by being savvier in how they use energy.

According to npower, simple measures can make a big difference, especially as people are likely to be home more often than usual over the Christmas season.

By switching off the TV rather than leaving it on in an empty room people are able to slash their electricity bills, the group revealed, as are those who do not keep their oven on for more than five hours on Christmas Day.

"Energy efficiency and Christmas are not usually two things that naturally sit together, but we want to show that making a few simple changes at Christmas are more 'Christmas cracker' than 'bah humbug'," noted Kevin Peake, marketing director at npower.

Cutting back on excessive waste can likewise help people reduce their impact on the environment over the coming days, the company said, suggesting that wrapping paper and food should be kept to a minimum.

Making savvy selections when it comes to electronics can cut the cost of energy this Christmas, npower emphasised, such as by choosing LED Christmas lights which use 90 per cent less power.

It is also important for people not to leave items on standby, which the Energy Saving Trust believes could save consumers £3.5 million across the country.

Meanwhile, energy-efficient light bulbs can use up to 80 per cent less power than their standard counterparts.

Arthur Potts Dawson, who has joined forces with npower to launch an eco-friendly cook book, believes everyone can do their bit to help the environment and to cut utility bills this Christmas.

"If just a small percentage of houses in the UK choose to follow the tips, then together we can save a huge amount of energy," he stated.