Energy Cost Calculator
Estimate the true cost of your gas and electricity. Work out your annual and monthly household energy bill from your usage, unit rates, and standing charges.
Calculate Your Energy Costs
Choose your household usage profile or enter your own figures, along with your current unit rates and standing charges, to estimate your annual and monthly energy bill.
Usage & Tariff Details
Enter your energy usage and current rates
Bill Evaluation
Estimated household energy costs
Typical UK Household Usage
Ofgem’s typical domestic consumption values (TDCV), used as a benchmark for average household energy use.
| Usage Profile | Typical Home | Electricity | Gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low use | 1–2 people, flat or small home | 1,800 kWh | 7,500 kWh |
| Medium use | 2–3 people, average semi-detached | 2,700 kWh | 11,500 kWh |
| High use | 4–5 people, larger detached home | 4,100 kWh | 17,000 kWh |
Energy Costs FAQ
Everything you need to know about how UK household energy bills are worked out.
Your energy bill is calculated by multiplying your usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh) by your unit rate, then adding a daily standing charge that covers the cost of supplying energy to your home, regardless of how much you use.
A standing charge is a fixed daily fee added to your energy bill to cover the cost of connecting your home to the gas or electricity network and maintaining the supply, charged whether or not you use any energy that day.
According to Ofgem’s typical domestic consumption values, a medium-use household uses around 2,700 kWh of electricity and 11,500 kWh of gas per year, though this varies significantly with home size, insulation, and heating habits.
In Great Britain, Ofgem sets a price cap on the maximum unit rates and standing charges suppliers can charge, and it is reviewed and typically updated every three months to reflect changes in wholesale energy costs.