Four areas of East Lancashire have been revealed as having some of the highest levels of inefficient homes in the North West, as household energy bills soar amid the cost of living crisis.

With spiralling heating bills and inflation in double figures, many families across the region are facing tough decisions between heating and eating, with more than ever relying on food banks, and now even warm banks being set up – an unprecedented step as more people than ever struggle to afford the basics.

Having an energy efficient home is one of the best ways to save money on heating bills; with good roof and wall insulation, air tight windows, and modern boilers and heating systems all contributing to saving money while keeping houses warmer.

Not having these however means heat leaks out of the house, meaning more money has to be spent on central heating to keep the home warm, which in the current financial climate with soaring prices and stagnant wages is proving harder and harder for people to do.

A new study of housing stock has found which areas of the North West have the most energy inefficient homes, with four East Lancashire boroughs being ranked among the top 10, with three in the top five.

The area is also home to five of the country’s worst boroughs for energy inefficiency.

The study, by Property Inspect, analysed EPC certificates over the past 10 years to find how many homes are ranked A to C, the top bands for efficiency.

Homes ranked D or E have poor energy efficiency, and improving by one band could save a household £250 a year on fuel bills. Meanwhile bands F and G are unfit for rent and have the worst energy efficiency.

In the North West, Pendle was ranked the worst area for inefficient homes, with just 14.3 per cent of homes having an EPC ranking of A to C.

Burnley placed third, with 17.2 per cent of homes having a ranking between A and C, while Hyndburn was fifth, where the figure is 18.2 per cent.

Blackburn with Darwen ranked ninth, with 22.8 per cent of homes ranked A to C.

Also in the top 10 across Lancashire were Blackpool (second at 15.6 per cent) and Lancaster (sixth at 20.3 per cent).

Rebecca Davies, manager of RD Heat and a boiler expert, recommended five ways to improve energy efficiency.

These include bleeding radiators twice a year, getting loft insulation, keeping radiators clear, upgrading your thermostat, and keeping doors and windows closed.

She said: “Leaving your doors open is the easiest way for heat to escape from your home.

“Carpets and rugs can be a good way to help keep draughts out of the rooms in your home.

“Although insulating your loft is an investment, if it’s an option you can consider this can result in households being able to save up to £160 per year on heating bills.”