How your property can affect your energy use

The UK paid an extra £1.1 billion in energy bills in 2022¹, despite the decline in the average energy consumption. With this in mind, new research has revealed the average consumption rates and energy bills for different households in the UK. 

The team at BOXT have analysed the average energy usage and costs in the UK, as well as usage trends throughout the year and how your property can affect your energy usage to bring you a close look at energy trends in the UK.

Average energy cost and consumption rates in the UK:

When looking at a flat or 1-bedroom house with 1-2 people living in the residence, the average energy consumption is 8,000 kWh of gas and 1,800 kWh of electricity annually. The average annual gas bill is £996 and the annual electricity bill averages £717, including standing charges.

A 3-bedroom house has an annual gas consumption of 12,000 kWh, which is 4,000 kWh higher than a flat or 1-bedroom house, and the annual electricity usage averages 2,900 kWh. Overall, the total average energy bill for both gas and electricity is exactly £2,500, around £800 more than a 1-bed house or flat. 

When it comes to a 5-bedroom house, with 4-5 people living in it, the average annual gas consumption is around 17,000 kWh, which is 5000 kWh more than a 3-bedroom house. This household also uses 4,300 kWh of electricity on average per year, and the average combined annual energy bill is around £3,493, almost £1,000 more than a medium household size.

The research also revealed the following:

• The highest contributing appliance to electricity bills is the fridge-freezer, costing around £138.72 annually. Electric tumble dryers are the second-biggest contributor, costing around £125.80 per year, and in third place are electric hobs with an average annual cost of £102.35, based on the typical usage of 424 times per year. 

• Between 1995 – 2022, Q1, referring to January to March, saw the biggest consumption of gas and electricity. On average, the UK uses 89.28 TWh of electricity during these months, which based on today’s costs is around £30.3 billion.

• Properties built before the 1930s are the least efficient for energy usage, on median being rated at 59, which is a D rating and a distance away from the lower C rating of 69. In comparison, properties built from 2012 and onwards have a median EPC rating of 83 in England, a B rating, making them the most energy efficient properties. 

• Properties built from 1983 to 2011 have a median EPC rating of 71 in England and Wales, which is a C rating, and meets the minimum EPC rating to be set by the government by 2025.