Residents paying high cost for energy

» BRISTOLIANS are among those paying the most in the UK for heating during the winter months.

People living in the city pay £185.91 on average during winter - five per cent more than the rest of the country.

The South West as a whole pays more than anywhere else in Britain for their winter heating bills, according to the research by MoneySuperMarket.

Truro, in Cornwall, was the most expensive place in the South West, with people paying £194.10 to keep warm.

In contrast people living in Harrow, in London, pay £161.88, while in residents in Huddersfield pay £164.94.

Bristolians spend £743.67 on average heating their homes each year, the data found.

The World Health Organisation and energy suppliers suggest that a comfortable home temperature is between 18 and 21 degree celcius.

Stephen Murray, energy expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Keeping your home sufficiently warm during the winter months can become expensive.

“There are a number of steps Brits can take to ensure they are being cost efficient when it comes to their heating.

“Simple things like draught proofing your home, bleeding your radiators and getting your boiler serviced require no expertise and will help to reduce energy usage.

“You could also save up to £250 by simply shopping around and switching to a fixed-rate tariff this winter.”