The Nationwide has calculated the costs of energy to properties with different EPCs, in spite of the much lauded but misconstrued Energy Price Guarantee.

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Under the government’s Energy Price guarantee a typical UK household will be protected from paying no more than an average of  £2,500 a year on their energy bills until April 2023, however many properties’ EPC levels are below the required standard.

Chief economist of the Nationwide Robert Gardner, says: “Despite this intervention, energy costs are still going to be around 80 per cent higher than a year ago, even after taking account of the £400 energy support scheme discount.

“It is important to note that the cap is on the unit price charged to consumers, rather than a maximum bill a household can be charged. Running costs for less energy efficient properties tend to be considerably higher, leaving these households particularly vulnerable to price rises.”

He states those properties energy prices with efficient EPCs’ (A to C) will be hiked to around £1,800 a year whereas just one year ago the average was £1,000 per year.

He claims: “Typical bills for D-rated properties (the most common type) are set to rise to £2,600 a year. Those in E-rated properties will be paying around £120 a month more than last winter.

However, those living in the least efficient properties (rated F to G) will see average bills rise to circa £4,500, an extra £185 a month compared with a year ago, though these properties make up two per cent of the stock of housing with a mortgage.

“The cost-of-living crisis is set to disproportionately affect lower income households as they spend a higher proportion of their income on essentials (food, gas and electricity). Lower income households are also much less likely to have accumulated savings, so they will find it more difficult to cover the increase in these costs.”