Average gas and electricity bill for a 1-bed house

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How much electricity does a 1-bed house use?

The average electricity usage of a 1 bed flat sits between 1,800 and 2,400 Kwh. This is assuming that you are on a mix of gas and electricity. Some homes are heated exclusively by electricity and if this is the case your electric consumption will, of course, be higher.

There will also be various considerations, mostly whether you are sharing with someone or live by yourself. While the electricity you use won’t double if you are living with a partner, it will certainly be a lot higher and something you will need to factor in when understanding your usage.

There are many other areas that also affect your energy usage. Check out our guide to see how much energy the average UK home uses and whether you are using too much.

How much gas does a 1-bed house use?

Your average one bed flat will use around 7,000 KWh annually. This will be dramatically affected by where you are based, as cold areas will require far more heating than those located on sun-soaked coasts, assuming you don’t have a cosy fireplace of course.

The variance will be somewhat mitigated by having a smaller flat, as these will be able to retain the heat better due to their size. Being surrounded by other buildings will also help provide additional insulation.

The average electricity bill for a 1-bed house

On average you will find yourself paying around 34p for each KWh of electricity used, as well as a 46p standing charge per day. While this is not set in stone, based on average levels of consumption, your typical household will spend around £882 per year, which works out at around £73.50 per month.

There are various ways you can reduce this cost. Buying energy efficient light bulbs will not only help your monthly bill but also help the environment. There are even simpler things like ensuring that appliances are turned off when not being used and reducing the amount of water in your kettle when boiling it.

Another way you can save on your energy bills (between £260 and £580 a year according to the Energy Saving Trust) is by upgrading your boiler. Click the button below to see how simple it is to upgrade to an energy-efficient boiler today.

The average gas bill for a 1-bed house

The average cost of gas in the UK sits at around 10.3p per Kwh, while the daily standing charge is around 28p. Therefore, for an average 1-bed flat, it will currently cost around £823 per year (or £69 per month) to keep it heated. 

Trying to keep these costs down is relatively simple.

Ensuring that you only heat rooms that you need to is a key one. If possible put your heating on a timer so that you only have the gas on when you need it. While lockdown has ensured most of us will be in our house during the day, a well-insulated property can still stay warm despite only having the heating on for part of the day.

Typical dual fuel bill

Based on the combined cost of electricity and gas, you could be forgiven for thinking that the cost of dual-fuel would simply be one plus the other; equalling an average spend of £1,645 per year.

The reality is that you can often get favourable rates from an energy provider by taking both products from them. If you're comparing energy costs, always take a look at dual-fuel, as you can often get the best deal. It also saves you having to deal with two separate companies or paying separate bills.

There will of course be some situations where getting gas from one provider and electricity from another will be the best option.

How can I get the best deal on energy?

As with anything, the smartest way to get your money's worth is to check the market and make sure you’re not paying too much. If you realise that your costs are far higher then it could be down to your consumption or it could be that you’ve not got the best deal possible.

The best way to save you time and money is to use our energy comparison tool to easily check dozens of offers. There are also simple steps you can take to reduce your costs like putting lights on timers, insulating your house and upgrading appliances so they are energy efficient.

Will I save on bills living with a partner?

While sharing a house with someone will mean that your usage goes up, the fact that you are splitting your bills should dramatically reduce the amount each person pays. You can further increase these savings by making sure you have a similar schedule so you’re sharing the cost of any energy used.