Harrogate revealed as one of the most expensive areas in the UK for utility bills - as homeowners fail to meet energy efficiency targets

The energy experts looked at thousands of energy performance certificates to find the priciest areas for bills - and Harrogate made it into the top ten with an average annual spend of £1,102 per household.

And in a separate study by the BBC’s Shared Data Unit, it was revealed that 70 per cent of homes in the borough fall below the government’s long-term target to become more energy efficient - meaning too many households are pumping more CO2 into the atmosphere than necessary.

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How to cut the cost of your utility bill

Save on Energy says residents in Harrogate could save hundreds of pounds on their utility bills each year by becoming more energy efficient.

Switching from regular light bulbs to LED versions, for example, uses around 20 to 80 per cent less energy per year.

Linda Dodge, an energy expert from Save on Energy, said: “There are many simple and cost-effective ways people can save on their bills such as buying a heated airer instead of using a tumble dryer, which saves 50% more energy.

"Households could also try using a 24-hour plug timer which sets limits on everyday electricals like TVs and lamps. This can help cut electricity bills as it limits the times these outlets can be used.”

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Implementing measures such as these could save residents in Harrogate around £302 per year, according to Save on Energy.

The borough has been named as the ninth most expensive area for bills - and following closely behind is Halifax, where the average annual utility bill totals £1,097.

At the other end of the spectrum is London - the cheapest area for energy - where households pay around £755 every year.

By stark contrast, Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland is the most expensive area for utilities with an average annual bill of £2,416.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter

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