Knowing how much energy you use is the first step to understanding your bills and finding ways to cut them. Energy suppliers base their charges on how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) you use, multiplied by your unit rate, plus a standing charge each day.
By comparing your own energy usage against the UK average, you can see whether your household is above or below typical levels and use that knowledge to find a better tariff.
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A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a measure of energy. One kWh is the amount of electricity used by a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour.
For example, if you run a 2,000-watt electric heater for 30 minutes, it uses 1 kWh.
Your energy bill is made up of two parts:
In summary: your total bill = (kWh used × unit rate) + (standing charge × number of days).
To make comparing energy deals easier, Ofgem defines Typical Domestic Consumption Values (TDCVs), national averages for low, medium, and high household usage levels.
These benchmarks are what suppliers use to show estimated costs in quotes but remember that every household’s real usage will differ depending on heating, insulation, and lifestyle.
If your home has a standard single-rate electricity meter (the most common type), your average annual usage will typically fall into one of these categories:
| Usage level | Annual kWh | Monthly (approx.) | Daily (approx.) | Typical home type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 1,800 kWh | 150 kWh | 5 kWh | Flat or 1–2-person household |
| Medium | 2,900 kWh | 240 kWh | 8 kWh | 2–3 bed home, 2–3 people |
| High | 4,300 kWh | 360 kWh | 12 kWh | 4+ bed home, 4–5 people |
Source: Ofgem – Typical Domestic Consumption Values (TDCVs) for electricity, updated April 2023.
If your usage is much higher than this, it is worth reviewing your appliances or checking whether your heating runs on electricity.
Homes on Economy 7 tariffs (with cheaper night rates and higher day rates) use more electricity overall, particularly if they have storage heaters or electric hot water systems.
| Usage level | Annual kWh | Monthly (approx.) | Daily (approx.) | Typical home type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 2,400 kWh | 200 kWh | 7 kWh | Small flat, limited night use |
| Medium | 4,200 kWh | 350 kWh | 12 kWh | 2–3 bed with storage heating |
| High | 7,100 kWh | 590 kWh | 19 kWh | Larger all-electric home or EV charging |
Source: Ofgem – Typical Domestic Consumption Values for Economy 7 customers (dual-rate meters), April 2023.
Savings depend on what percentage of your electricity you use overnight. Typically, the more you can shift to off-peak, the more you will save.
If your home uses mains gas for heating and hot water, the typical annual usage looks like this:
| Usage level | Annual kWh | Monthly (approx.) | Daily (approx.) | Typical home type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 8,000 kWh | 670 kWh | 22 kWh | Small flat or 1–2-person home |
| Medium | 12,000 kWh | 1,000 kWh | 33 kWh | Average 2–3 bed home |
| High | 17,000 kWh | 1,420 kWh | 47 kWh | 4+ bed family home |
Source: Ofgem – Typical Domestic Consumption Values (TDCVs) for gas, April 2023.
Gas usage peaks in winter due to heating, so do not be alarmed if your consumption significantly varies month to month.
Several factors influence how much energy your household uses:
Some appliances are major energy users. Here’s how typical household devices compare:
| Appliance | Typical usage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge/freezer | 300–500 kWh/year | Always on |
| Washing machine | 150–250 kWh/year | Use eco modes and full loads |
| Tumble dryer | 400–800 kWh/year | One of the most energy-hungry devices |
| Electric oven | 150–300 kWh/year | Batch cook to save energy |
| Dishwasher | 200–300 kWh/year | Use off-peak hours if available |
| TV and electronics | 100–200 kWh/year | Switch off standby |
Source: Appliance usage figures from Energy Saving Trust and Centre for Sustainable Energy, 2023.
Small adjustments, like using eco settings, air-drying clothes, or turning devices off at the wall, can noticeably reduce your annual usage.
You can estimate your annual energy bill using this simple formula:
Example: If you use 2,900 kWh of electricity at 30p/kWh with a 60p/day standing charge:
This shows why focusing only on the unit rate can be misleading, the standing charge adds up over the year.
Even slight changes in daily behaviour can have a big impact over a year.
Understanding your household’s energy usage is the key to controlling your costs. Once you know your kWh, you can benchmark against national averages, reduce waste where possible, and compare tariffs to find the lowest total cost.
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Around 8–12 kWh of electricity and 30–35 kWh of gas is typical for an average-sized home.
Your home’s insulation, heating type, number of occupants, and lifestyle all affect energy use.
Ofgem uses medium TDCVs (2,900 kWh electricity, 12,000 kWh gas) to set typical annual price cap figures.
They often use slightly less energy overall due to pay-as-you-go budgeting, but their unit rates can be higher.
Smart meters do not reduce energy automatically, but the visibility they provide helps households cut usage by around 3-5%.
Submit readings monthly to keep your bills accurate and avoid estimated charges.