Private tenants throughout the UK are more likely to rack up higher energy bills than homeowners, research shows.

Those that rent in the private sector pay an average of £31 more every year than homeowners and £90 more than tenants who are in social housing, according to a study by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics).

Jeremy Blackburn, Rics head of UK policy, said: "Those renting privately should expect the same standards in insulation and heating as homeowners and those in social housing."

Mr Blackburn continued by saying that more needs to be accomplished to ensure that private rental property is fit for purpose and energy efficient.

The benefits of making homes greener were outlined in a recent study by the NHBC Foundation and Zero Carbon Hub, which found that energy efficiency measures could help to generate yearly savings of roughly 50 per cent with regard to gas and electricity spending.