Average Electricity Usage in the UK: How Many kWh Does a House Use?
Paying so much on the electric bill again this time? Is the electricity consumption a lot this month? Perhaps, you want to check the average electricity usage in the UK, and see if yours is much over the average level? Or maybe you're thinking about switching energy providers. No worries — we're here to break down the average household electricity usage in the UK. Many factors can impact the normal electricity bill. Beyond explaining that, we’ll share practical tips to help you reduce your electricity use and cut down on monthly costs. Keep reading!
How Much Electricity (kWh) Does an Average Household Use in the UK?
According to Ofgem’s Typical Domestic Consumption Values (TDCVs), the average UK household uses around 2,700 kWh of electricity per year, and 11,500kWh of gas per year.
The table below shares the annual electricity usage and gas consumption for different household sizes:
Household Size | Annual Electricity Usage | Annual Gas Usage |
1–2 people (low use) | Around 1,800 kWh | Around 7,500 kWh |
3–4 people (medium use) | Around 2,700 kWh | Around 11,500 kWh |
5+ people (high use) | Around 4,100 kWh | Around 17,000 kWh |
*Data source: Average gas and electricity usage from Ofgem
How Much Electricity Does an Average House Use Per Month in the UK?
For a medium-sized household, the average electricity usage can be worked out to roughly 225 kWh per month (2,700kWh / 12 months).
How Much Electricity Does an Average House Use Per Day in the UK?
So, how about the daily average electricity consumption in the UK? Let’s take a precise calculation based on Ofgem’s data. For a home with the medium electricity usage, that is 7.5kWh (225 kWh / 30 days).
What Factors Affect Your Electricity Consumption?
Household energy use in the UK isn't fixed; it changes for a bunch of reasons. Let’s take a look at the key elements that can influence how much electricity a UK home consumes.
1. Number of People in the Home: More occupants mean more showers, device charging, cooking, and laundry—all contributing to increased home electricity usage.
2. Appliance Types and Age: Older appliances tend to be less energy-efficient. For example, a 15-year-old fridge may consume twice the energy of a modern A-rated model.
3. Heating Method: If your home uses electric heating instead of gas, your electricity usage will be significantly higher, especially in winter months.
4. Daily Habits: Running your tumble dryer regularly, leaving lights on, or keeping devices on standby can all add up. Homes with work-from-home setups also tend to use more electricity for computers, monitors, and lighting.
5. Home Insulation and Efficiency: Well-insulated homes retain heat better and require less energy to maintain comfortable temperatures. In contrast, poorly insulated homes may rely more on electric heaters, which greatly increase the possibility of a higher electricity bill.
6. Smart Devices and Automation: Smart home systems, though efficient, can raise your baseline energy use. For example, security systems, smart lighting, and voice assistants often run continuously in the background.
What Is the Average Electric Bill in the UK?
According to Ofgem’s energy price cap, from 1 July to 30 September 2025, the average unit rate for electricity in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) is set at 25.73 pence per kWh, and the daily standing charge is around 51.37 pence. The average gas unit rate is set at 6.33 pence per kWh, and the daily standing charge for gas is about 29.82 pence.
Estimated Annual Electricity Cost:
Energy Usage Level | Annual Electricity Usage (kWh) | Electricity Unit Rate (p/kWh) | Electricity Standing Charge (pence daily) | Electricity Standing Charge (£/year)(365 days) | Estimated Annual Electricity Cost (£) |
Low | 1,800 | 25.73 | 51.37 | £187.50 | £650.64 |
Medium | 2,700 | 25.73 | 51.37 | £187.50 | £882.21 |
High | 4,100 | 25.73 | 51.37 | £187.50 | £1,242.43 |
Estimated Annual Gas Cost:
Energy Use | Annual Gas Usage (kWh) | Gas Unit Rate (p/kWh) | Gas Standing Charge (pence daily) | Gas Standing Charge (£/year)(365 days) | Estimated Annual Gas Cost (£) |
Low | 7,500 | 6.33 | 29.82 | £108.84 | £583.59 |
Medium | 11,500 | 6.33 | 29.82 | £108.84 | £836.79 |
High | 17,000 | 6.33 | 29.82 | £108.84 | £1,184.94 |
Note: These are estimated electricity and gas costs based on typical usage and the latest Ofgem price cap rates. If you're a dual-fuel customer, your total annual bill will include both electricity and gas charges. Actual costs may vary depending on your location, energy supplier, tariff, and household usage.
Here is the formula:
Estimated Annual Cost (£) = Annual Usage (kWh) * Unit Rate (p/kWh) / 100 + Standing Charge (£/year)
For a typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit, the average annual bill is £1,720—a modest drop from £1,849 earlier in the year, providing a bit of relief for many UK homes.
Here is the calculation:
Annual Electricity Cost: (2,700 kWh * 25.73 p/kWh) + (365 days * 51.37 p/day) = 88,221.05 pence (approximately £882.21)
Annual Gas Cost: (11,500 kWh * 6.33 p/kWh) + (365 days * 29.82 p/day) = 83,679.30 pence (approximately £836.79)
Total Dual-Fuel Bill: £882.21 (Electricity) + £836.79 (Gas) = £1,719.00
Appliances That Use the Most Electricity
According to Energy Saving Trust, there are some of the primary electricity guzzlers in an average household. The table below shows the percentage of the electricity bill each type of appliance shall cost.
Household Appliance Category | Share of Energy Bill (%) |
Washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers | 14% |
Fridges and freezers | 13% |
TVs, laptops, and games consoles | 6% |
Lighting | 5% |
Ovens, microwaves, and kettles | 4% |
As we can see, cleaning appliances are the most electricity-consuming household appliances, making up 14% of a typical energy bill, mainly due to the energy needed to heat water or air. Cooling appliances like fridges and freezers come next at 13%, as they run continuously to maintain temperature. Entertainment and computing devices contribute around 6%, with standby mode adding to their usage. Lighting accounts for about 5%. Cooking appliances consume approximately 4%, with microwaves generally being the more efficient choice.
How to Reduce Your Electricity Usage?
Whether your goal is sustainability or saving money, cutting back on electricity usage doesn’t have to mean compromising comfort. Here are some of the most effective ways to lower your household consumption and reduce electricity bill:
1. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances
Switch to A++ rated appliances where possible. Look for washing machines, fridges, and tumble dryers with low kWh-per-cycle figures. Energy-efficient appliances use less electricity and last longer, saving money over time.
2. Use Smart Power Strips
These cut off phantom loads from devices on standby—like TVs, consoles, and printers—reducing wasted electricity.
3. Switch to LED Lighting
LED bulbs use up to 75% less electricity than incandescent ones and last up to 25 times longer. Replacing old bulbs can save up to £4 per bulb per year.
4. Schedule High-Usage Appliances
Run washing machines, dishwashers, and dryers during off-peak hours if you’re on a time-of-use tariff. Combine this with full loads and shorter wash cycles at lower temperatures (e.g., 30°C) for maximum efficiency.
5. Invest in Home Insulation
Improving loft, cavity wall, and floor insulation can reduce overall energy dependency, especially if you're relying on electric heating.
6. Install a Smart Meter
Smart meters help you track and understand your electric usage in real time. Many even send usage reports straight to your mobile app.
7. Install Smart Thermostats and Heating Controls
Smart heating controls allow you to schedule your heating and hot water more precisely, ensuring you're only using energy when you need it.
8. Supercharge Savings with Solar + Home Battery Storage
To further reduce reliance on the grid and maximize your energy savings, consider integrating solar panels with the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra—a high-capacity power station that combines robust battery storage and smart energy management in one. With up to 30kWh of expandable battery capacity and a powerful 6,900W output, it can comfortably power essential household appliances, as well as EV chargers.
Integrated with 400W rigid solar panels, the DELTA Pro Ultra forms one of the most capable off-grid solar solutions available. Plus, with its AI-driven OASIS system, you get real-time insights into solar generation and electricity consumption. It visualizes your savings and usage history, helping you make informed decisions for your home’s energy management.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra Portable Power Station
Conclusion
Knowing your average electricity usage empowers you to make smarter choices at home. Whether you're above the national average or simply looking to cut costs, small changes—from efficient appliances to solar storage—can make a big impact. With clear benchmarks, fairer rates, and smarter tools now available, it’s the perfect time to take control of your energy use. Smarter energy starts at home—explore EcoFlow’s solar and battery storage systems to see how much you could save.
FAQs
Is 7 kWh per day a lot?
No, 7 kWh per day is considered fairly typical for a small to medium UK household, especially one with 1–2 people. According to Ofgem’s data, a medium-usage home averages around 2,700 kWh per year, or roughly 7.4 kWh per day. If your household is larger or heavily reliant on electric appliances, 7 kWh would actually be on the lower side.
How many kWh of electricity does a house use?
For most UK households, daily electricity usage typically falls between 6 and 10 kWh. This depends on household size, insulation quality, heating method, and appliance efficiency. Ofgem classifies a medium-use home at around 2,700 kWh per year—about 7.4 kWh daily. If your usage stays within this range, you’re likely aligned with national averages.
Is 10 kWh per day a lot in the UK?
10 kWh per day is at the higher end of typical UK household electricity usage. While still within a normal range, especially for homes with 4+ people or electric heating, it may suggest heavy use of high-energy appliances or less efficient systems. Reviewing your habits or exploring time-of-use tariffs and energy-saving upgrades could help lower your consumption.
What is the average electricity usage for a 3 bed house?
A typical 3-bedroom house in the UK uses around 2,900 to 3,300 kWh of electricity per year, which equates to roughly 8–9 kWh per day. This estimate assumes standard appliance usage and gas heating. Homes with electric heating, work-from-home setups, or energy-intensive appliances may fall on the higher end of that range or slightly above.