Our use of cookies What is the average electricity and gas usage in the UK?
We hear a lot about “average energy usage”, but very few explain what it actually means and why it’s an essential metric.
The truth is that without a benchmark like an average, any energy cost calculations are meaningless! How’s your usage this month compared to your historical average? Or how does your electricity and gas usage compare to the UK average?
In this article, we dive deep into these essential UK utility averages.
Contents
- How many kWhs does a house use?
- What is the average kWh daily usage for different house sizes?
- What appliances use the most electricity?
- How can I reduce the overall energy usage of my home?
- The factors that affect electricity usage
- What are the major criteria for calculating your average energy consumption?
- What is an average household energy bill?
How many kWhs does a house use?
The average household energy usage is based on many factors, including:
- The size of your home
- The number of people that live in your home
- How energy efficient your home is
- How energy efficient your appliances are
- How many times do you use your appliances per day
According to Ofgem, the energy regulator, The average annual usage for a medium-sized home is:
- Electricity: 2,900kWh per annum
- Gas: 12,000kWh per annum
The government’s Energy Price Cap is designed to limit the dual-fuel energy bills of the above-average home to £1,717 based upon these usage estimates.
The amount you will pay per year will depend on how much electricity and gas you use and whether you pay by direct debit.
What is the average electricity usage per day in the UK?
Here is the average electricity usage per day as currently quoted by these three different UK government departments:
| Government Department | Average annual usage | Average daily usage | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofgem | 2,900 kWh | 7.9 kWh | Ofgem: Average Gas and electricity use explained |
| BEIS | 3,100 kWh | 8.5 kWh | BEIS: Household energy consumption & affordability report |
| Department for Energy Security & Net Zero | 3,600 kWh | 9.9 kWh | Annual domestic energy bills publications |
Note that these figures continuously change as homes become more energy efficient.
What is the average gas usage per day in the UK?
Here is the average gas usage per day according to three different UK government departments:
| Government Department | Average annual usage | Average daily usage | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofgem | 12,000 kWh | 32.9 kWh | Ofgem: Average Gas and electricity use explained |
| BEIS | 12,400 kWh | 34.0 kWh | BEIS: Household energy consumption & affordability report |
| Department for Energy Security & Net Zero | 13,600 kWh | 37.2 kWh | Annual domestic energy bills publications |
Note that these figures are continuously changing as homes gradually transition from gas boilers to heat pumps, bringing the average gas consumption down.
What is the average kWh daily usage for different house sizes?
Here’s a table that breaks down energy usage by home size. You can see the average gas and electricity usage per kWh per day.
| Energy Use | House Size | Average daily gas usage | Average daily electricity usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | Flat or 1-bedroom house; 1-2 people | 21.91kWh per day | 4.93kWh per day |
| Medium | 2-3 bedroom house; 2-3 people | 32.87kWh per day | 7.94kWh per day |
| High | 4+ bedroom home; 4-5 people | 46.57kWh per day | 11.78kWh per day |
Source: Ofgem.
What appliances use the most electricity?
Your big-ticket appliances typically use the most energy at home:
- Cleaning – Washing machines, tumble dryers, and dishwashers comprise around 14% of your energy consumption.
- Freezing – Refrigerators and Freezers – make up around 13% of your energy consumption.
- Electronics – Laptops, computers, TVs and games consoles – make up around 6% of your energy consumption.
- Lighting – makes up around 5% of energy consumption
- Cooking – Hob, oven, kettle, microwave – makes up about 4% of your energy consumption.
How can I reduce the overall energy usage of my home?
We have looked into ways to reduce your energy usage and have put together an in-depth article on home energy-saving tips.
But here are some quick tips for reducing home energy usage:
- Turning down the thermostat
- Getting the most out of our radiators
- Get a Smart Meter
- Energy Saving Plugs
- Home Insulation
The factors that affect electricity usage
These are the things that have the largest effect on your home electricity usage:
Size
How big is your home? The bigger, the more electricity it will need to fulfil your requirements. More light bulbs, more plugs, more appliances and if you have electric heating or a heat pump, a much larger volume to keep at your desired temperature. Not to mention that most large multi-bedroom homes in the UK are older and less efficient, while small studio flats tend to be newer.
Number of people
How many people live in your household? The more people, the more appliances charging, light bulbs, washing machine cycles, dishwashers etc.
Habits
What are your energy habits? Do you have lots of appliances that are always on? Do you tend to leave your lights on? So, do you use a hot tub or a clothes dryer? Do you have electric heaters or blankets? All of these things will impact your electricity usage.
Read our guide on why electricity is expensive.
What are the major criteria for calculating your average energy consumption?
To calculate your average energy usage, you need to take it into account:
- Property Type – ie House, flat, bungalow
- Number of bedrooms – 4 bedroom house or studio flat?
- Property Age – Hundred-year-old manor house or brand new flat?
- Gas – Do you have a mains gas connection?
- Meter – Do you have an economy 7 meter?
We have found a great calculator here that will show you your average energy usage and even show you what your spending will look like per month and annually.
What is an average household energy bill?
The table below shows the average UK annual dual-fuel energy bill by payment type as per the government’s latest 2022 domestic energy price statistics.
| Fuel Type | Assumed consumption | Standard credit | Direct debit | Prepayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 3,600 kWh | £1,226 | £1,151 | £1,122 |
| Gas | 13,600 kWh | £1,410 | £1,159 | £1,472 |
| Dual Fuel | £2,636 | £2,310 | £2,594 |
Note that in preparing these figures, the government has used a slightly higher assumed annual home energy consumption compared with the rates used for energy price cap announcements (3,100 kWh for electricity and 12,000 kWh for gas).
The Energy Price Guarantee scheme has affected the average household energy bills above.
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