This County Durham postcode is fifth coldest in the country

The area of DL13, which covers the Durham Dales, was ranked fifth in the study of England and Wales' coldest postcodes.

It includes villages like Ireshopeburn and St John's Chapel.

The data reveals that 35.1 per cent of homes in 'DL13 1' are rated F or G for energy efficiency, compared to just 2.4 per cent nationally - A being the most efficient and G the least efficient.

The study found that the area has an average Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) score of just 44.1 (an 'E' rating for energy efficiency) and the most properties in this part of County Durham were built before 1900, relying on oil heating.

Cllr John Shuttleworth, who represents Weardale on Durham County Council, said: "The price of oil fluctuates, it has come down recently, but not to the levels before the war in Ukraine.

"The government or the powers that be - the gas boards - should act, everyone should have the same access to the same things."

Homes in this area cost an average of £2,381 per year to heat, which is £1,410 more than the national average.

Jay Mychalkiw, Founder at Director Intel, said: "Its ranking at number five nationally shows the scale of energy efficiency challenges facing County Durham.

"With 35.1 per cent of homes in 'DL13 1' rated F or G, residents are facing fuel poverty while living in properties built before 1900 that lose heat rapidly through poor insulation and inefficient heating systems."

The findings come from an analysis of 13.3 million unique properties with EPCs issued between 2016 and 2025, using data from the Energy Performance of Buildings Register maintained by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.

The broader County Durham area, covering 114,813 properties across 75 postcode sectors, had an average energy efficiency score of 67 and typical annual heating costs of £1,146.

Only postcode sectors with at least 50 properties were included to ensure statistical reliability.