You should not be paying more than you need for electricity usage. Using electricity comes at a price, and understanding the average consumption and electricity usage in a day, will show you whether your usage is on par, or way more expensive than for others.

Energy Consumption in the United Kingdom

The average energy consumption in the U.K. is 3,700 kilowatt hours per person per year (kwh/p/a). This includes all primary energy sources from which electricity is generated.

The average household consumes 9,200 kwh/household/a, which includes heating and hot water production (domestic appliances), lighting and refrigeration (domestic appliances) as well as cooking processes such as boiling water or frying food using a hob or oven.

This is more than the EU average of 9,600 kWh per household and less than Denmark’s 13,300 kWh per household.

The average energy consumption in the UK is a little bit higher than in other European countries. 

Factors That Influence Your Bill

Electricity is the biggest source of fuel for the average UK household, and electric heating produces around 40% more carbon emissions than gas heating.

Fuel prices fluctuate regularly affecting the total on your utility bill. In addition, your electricity usage monthly may be higher or lower depending on your household demands, and not being on a fixed rate with your energy supplier means further variations.

The factors that affect the cost of consumption will depend on:

• the amount of people in your household;
• whether you are using a combination of electricity and gas, as opposed to just electricity;
• your energy supplier’s rates;
• your location and the demands of the surrounding area;
• the terms of your contract, with fixed or variable rates; and
• your household demands, for example using heating appliances etc.

Energy Consumption

The unit rates charged by your energy supplier will fluctuate according to regions, depending on payment method, standing charges and meter type.

This means changes to your bill monthly. The average gas and electricity use however is set out for different household sizes.

Average consumption for electricity and gas

• For a household with 1-2 people, the average monthly cost is £142.69, making your daily cost £4.75.
• For a household with 2-3 people, the average monthly cost is £208.32 making your daily cost £6.94.
• For a household with 4-5 people, the average monthly cost is £291.08, making your daily cost £9.70.

Average consumption for electricity only

• For a household with 1-2 people, the average monthly cost is £65.16, making your daily cost £2.17.
• For a household with 2-3 people, the average monthly cost is £96.36 making your daily cost £3.21.
• For a household with 4-5 people, the average monthly cost is £136.07, making your daily cost £4.53.

Average consumption for gas only

• For a household with 1-2 people, the average monthly cost is £77.53, making your daily cost £2.58.
• For a household with 2-3 people, the average monthly cost is £111.97 making your daily cost £3.73.
• For a household with 4-5 people, the average monthly cost is £155.01, making your daily cost £5.16.

How Does Electric Heating Compare To Gas Heating?

You may have heard that electric heating is more efficient than gas heating, and you’d be right! 

Electric heating produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy than gas. 

Another plus? Electric heating is cheaper to install than gas.

However, before you ditch your boiler in favour of an electric heater (and make the switch from instantaneous to storage water heaters), keep in mind that the upfront cost for installing an electric storage hot water system can be quite high. 

If you’re thinking about replacing your current boiler with one that uses electricity instead of gas, consider having a professional come out to evaluate how much power will be required and how much it would cost for installation.

The initial investment could save you money over time as well as deliver great results when it comes to reducing CO2 emissions!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the average energy consumption in the UK daily is very high. There are many factors that contribute to this, including technology and lifestyle choices. 

The good news is that by making small changes in our everyday lives we can cut down on our energy usage and help save our planet from climate change!