New research has found that homes in Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield are among the UK's most energy efficient.

Energy experts at Utility Bidder analysed official government data to reveal the parts of England and Wales with the most energy-efficient properties, looking at the average energy consumption, CO2 emissions, heating and hot water costs.

73 per cent of homes in Stevenage were found to have an EPC rating of A, B, or C, ranking the town third in the UK behind Knowsley (83.2 per cent) and Milton Keynes (75.4 per cent).

Welwyn Hatfield also made the list, with 70.1 per cent seeing the borough ranked 11th.

James Longley, managing director at Utility Bidder, said: "Households in England and Wales face constant attempts to tackle the ever-increasing cost of living, and with this, look for as many tricks as possible to keep their bills under control.

"At Utility Bidder, we want British homeowners and businesses to get the best value for their energy, and the properties and areas in which this may be most feasible. 

"As we’ve seen in our study, home energy efficiency can vary considerably depending on where you are in the country, which can mean higher bills and colder homes.

"With this in mind, it might be wise to consider steps you can take to ensure your home is as energy-efficient as possible; these include installing double or triple glazing, updating your boiler, switching to a heat pump, using LED bulbs, and draught-proofing your home."