Energy is one of the biggest annual costs for UK families and according to Ofgem, the average household spends around £1,254 a year on their energy.
Many people are unaware that their energy bills are made up of numerous costs – not just the cost of your gas and electricity usage. They comprise of:
Wholesale costs
Network costs
Social and environmental obligations
Other direct costs
Supplier operating costs and margin
Taxes, like VAT
You can read more on how the costs in your energy bill are broken down for typical dual-fuel, gas and electricity customers here.
How much energy does the average UK household use?
According to various leading suppliers, the average UK household energy usage all depends on how many people are in the house and which appliances are being utilised – we can assume this is the reason why households usually use more energy on the weekends, and why we’re experiencing a surge in energy usage during the coronavirus, especially with many transitioning to remote working.
Your energy bill typically reflects the size of your house and how efficient it is, as well as the different home appliances and how frequently they are used.
The average UK household’s energy consumption relies heavily on the weather, which is why energy bills tend to be higher during the darker, colder winter months, but the average household’s energy consumption in the UK is between 32 – 28 kWh per day.
How can you reduce your energy bill?
There are a few simple changes you can make to the way you use energy at home that could help reduce your energy bills and make your home more energy efficient.
Avoid using standby on electrical devices Devices on standby mode can use almost as much energy as when they are being used. To help with this, you can purchase standby saver plugs which turn devices off from your remote.
Reducing showering time by one minute Showers are some of the most energy hungry appliances in our homes. Reducing the amount of time you are in the shower will help you save energy and water.
Replace one bath a week with a shower Baths use up far more water than showers (about two and a half times more). Showers are even more efficient if you use a shower aerator.
Wash up in a bowl rather than the sink A washing up bowl takes less water to fill which will save you money. A running tap can waste more than six litres of water a minute, and when that water is hot it adds pounds to your gas bill.
Wash clothes at 30°C Reducing the temperature of your wash from 40°C to 30°C could cost you 40% less. A cooler wash helps keep clothes looking newer for longer.
Turn the thermostat down by one degree This could reduce your heating bill by up to 10%. You can use thermostats and Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) to keep the rooms you use most warm while saving energy.
Only boil as much water as needed Two thirds of people overfill their kettle, often boiling twice as much as needed. Boiling only as much as you need means your kettle will boil quicker too!
Turn off lights that aren’t being used It’s always best to turn off lights that aren’t being used, even if only for a short time. This is even more important if you have any older, less energy efficient lightbulbs.
Meter readings If you receive a bill with ‘E’ it means your bill has been estimated so you may not be paying the correct amount for the energy you have used. Take regular meter readings and submit them to your supplier. This will help keep your bills accurate. Too many estimated readings can sometimes end up in huge unexpected bills.
Warm Homes Discount Check with your energy supplier to see if you are eligible for Warm Home Discount. This is a discount of £140 on your electricity bill. You may be eligible if you are on a low income.
Need help with your bills?
If you’ve tried reducing your energy consumption but are still struggling to pay your energy bills, you can call the Connect for Help helpline and one of our qualified energy advisors will be able to guide you further . Connect for Help is a service that is helping people reduce their energy bills, stay warm and access the local help available to them without costing them any money. You can apply now for free energy advice and support.