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The recent rise in gas and electric bills in the UK in 2024 compared to previous years has skewed the idea of an “average” bill. If you’re wondering what your bill should run for various household sizes and fuels being used, we‘ll cover all the details and explain how those charges are calculated.
Finally, we will finish with tips and suggestions for how you can reduce your household utility bills.
Let’s get started.
What Is the Average Gas and Electricity Bill by House Size In the UK?
Table: Gas and Electricity Usage* *Based on April 2024 Prices
| Gas and electricity usage | Average annual consumption | Average annual cost* | Average monthly cost* |
| Direct Debit Customers | |||
| Low (flat or 1-bed house / 1-2 people) | Gas: 7,500 kWh Elec: 1,800 kWh | £1,258.33 | £104.86 |
| Medium (3-bedroom house / 2-3 people) | Gas: 11,500 kWh Elec: 2,700 kWh | £1,769.46 | £147.45 |
| High (5-bedroom house / 4-5 people) | Gas: 17,000 kWh Elec: 4,100 kWh | £2,414.50 | £201.21 |
| Pay on Receipt Customers | |||
| Low (flat or 1-bed house / 1-2 people) | Gas: 7,500 kWh Elec: 1,800 kWh | £1,309.98 | £109.17 |
| Medium (3-bedroom house / 2-3 people) | Gas: 11,500 kWh Elec: 2,700 kWh | £1,796.40 | £149.70 |
| High (5-bedroom house / 4-5 people) | Gas: 17,000 kWh Elec: 4,100 kWh | £2,507.12 | £208.93 |
Average Electricity Bills
The average electricity bill for a UK household varies depending on the size of the home and the number of people in it. A flat or one-bedroom home with 1-2 people who pay on receipt can expect to pay about £58.72 monthly or £704.63 annually.
For a medium-sized household with three bedrooms and 2-3 people, the average electricity bill would be about £78.06 monthly or £936.71 yearly.
Larger households with five bedrooms and 4-5 people would run around £108.14 monthly or £1,297.73 yearly.
Average Gas Bills
Like electricity, gas bills vary with household size.
For example, small households with one bedroom and 1-2 people who pay on receipt can expect to pay £50.45 monthly or £605.36 annually. Medium-sized households with three bedrooms and 2-3 people can expect to pay £71.64 per month or £859.68 annually, while larger households with five bedrooms and 4-5 people can expect to pay £100.78 monthly and £1,209.38.
How are Energy Bills Calculated?
Unit Rates
The unit rate is the cost you pay for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of gas or electricity you use, typically billed on a monthly basis. Those rates may be fixed or vary, costing more at peak hours when everyone is using it and less late at night when few people are using it.
The average unit rate in the UK is 24.50p per kWh for electricity and 6.04p per kWh for gas. Even though gas is much cheaper than electricity, we use it more, so the monthly bills are similar.
What is a Kilowatt Hour (kWh)?
Watts and kilowatts are units of power. Technically speaking, a watt describes the power in an electric circuit when the potential difference is one volt and the current one ampere, describing the electricity consumed or produced at a specific moment in time.
Less technically, a watt (W) measures power consumed or produced. A kilowatt (kW) is simply one thousand watts, allowing a simpler description of larger amounts of energy.
A kWh is a unit of power that measures electricity consumed or generated over one hour (h).
Standing Charge
A standing charge is a flat rate that doesn’t depend on how much gas or electricity you use. Standing charges cover the cost of metering and maintenance of the cables and pipes that bring energy to your home from the energy network.
The average standing charge in the UK is 60.10p per day for electricity and 31.43p per day for gas.
What Factors Affect the Average Gas and Electricity Bill?
Numerous factors affect your gas and electricity bill.
Of course, the main factor is how much energy you use. It depends on the size of your home, the number of occupants, the types of appliances you have and how often you run them.
Your method of payment will also affect your bill. Those who pay by direct debit pay slightly less than those who pay upon receipt of their bill since, in a way, that’s a form of credit, and you’ll pay slightly more.
Another factor is the wholesale market prices, which are determined by supply and demand. The Ofgem price cap is the maximum unit rate and standing charge that an energy supplier can charge. It’s determined by the UK energy regulator, which ensures that energy customers are treated fairly.
Tariff types also affect your bill, with fixed tariffs not changing even if the wholesale market price changes. Unfortunately, fixed tariffs are uncommon due to rising and variable energy costs, leaving most customers with variable tariffs affected by peak hours and market prices.
The type of meter also affects your bill. If you have a smart meter, you get billed for precisely the energy you use. Older meters use estimates so that they don’t have to come out and check your meter every month. You can also report your own usage, so you only pay for what you use, which may save you money.
How Can You Lower Your Energy Bills to Save Money?
Consider Smart devices
If you have a smart meter, you may be able to get an app that monitors your energy usage. This app allows you to optimise your usage by seeing what’s being used the most and also allows you to schedule things for off-peak hours.
An EcoFlow Smart Home Panel is perfect to couple with your home’s energy system, allowing complete control and optimisation over devices like EcoFlow Smart Generator (Duel Fuel). That way, you’ll have backup energy even during emergencies.
Use Solar Power
One great way to save money on your bills is to use solar panels to power your home. For example, an EcoFlow DELTA Pro + EcoFlow 400W Solar Panels with expandable solar charging and battery storage capacity can provide up to 25kWh of electricity storage and up to 3200W of solar charging.
Add an EcoFlow DELTA Pro Smart Extra Battery for an extra 3600Wh and expandable capacity of up to 10.6kWh with two extra batteries. That’s enough to supply energy for large homes with energy-intensive appliances like electric heaters or air conditioners.
Thanks to innovation and a rise in popularity, the cost of solar panels has significantly decreased. You’ll have limitless free energy once you reach your solar payback period – the time the savings on your electricity bill pay for your installation.
Switch to an Off-Peak Tariff
Peak hours are when most people are at home cooking, using their gadgets, or watching the television. This is typically between 7-11 am and 5-9 pm, and during those times, you’ll pay more. You can save money by running your washer, dryer, and other appliances during an off-peak tariff.
Choose Energy Efficient Appliances
When you choose appliances and gadgets with a better Energy label, they’re more efficient, which will reduce your bills.
Ensure Your Home is Well-Insulated
Well-insulated homes do much better keeping the heat in or out, depending on the season. Also, closing your blinds and curtains will trap more heat in or out.
Mind Your Thermostat
Watch your thermostat closely. Turning down the thermostat by a single degree could save you up to £128 a year. You could also consider turning the heat or AC lower when not home. Also, consider removing or wearing extra clothing layers before adjusting the thermostat.
Frequently Asked Questions
The average monthly electrical bill in the UK is £55.03 for a one-bedroom home, £77.49 for a three-bedroom home, and £106.07 for a five-bedroom home.
The average utility bill for a 3-bedroom home in the UK is about £149.70 per month or £1,796.40.
Since the average monthly electricity bill in the UK for a three-bedroom house is £77.49, the average daily cost of electricity is £2.58.
For a one-bedroom flat in the UK, your bills will be about £109.17. Around £58.72 will be spent on your electricity and £50.45 on your gas bill.
Final Thoughts
Energy prices in the UK have increased recently due to growing wholesale market prices and the Ofgem price cap. However, your energy use also determines what you pay, depending on the size of your home, how many people live there, what kind of appliances you have, and when you use your appliances.
Numerous things can reduce your bills, like running washers at night instead of during peak hours, turning your thermostat down, choosing energy-efficient appliances, and ensuring your home is well-insulated. You could potentially eliminate your bills by switching to a solar system like EcoFlow DELTA Pro + 400W Solar Panel. What’s more, your energy will be free once you reach the solar payback period.