Average Energy Bills in the UK, British Home Heating Guide, Building Utility Cost Tips, Online Advice

Average Energy Bills in the UK

29 Jul 2021

Which Region in The UK Has The Highest Energy Bills?

Average Energy Bills in the UK Guide

We all dread the time when the postman passes us our latest post and we spot a bill sitting right on the top which we know is for our energy. It’s particularly a worry when we have just gone through winter when we are more likely to spend more on energy. The colder weather means that we put our gas or electricity on full power to help keep our family warm during the winter months.

The darker nights also mean we rely on full lighting in our living rooms after 4pm which can cost a fortune. And instead of days out in the parks, drinks after work and weekend BBQ’s, couples and families spend evenings inside watching movies. This means our energy is being used more than ever which results in higher bills. A lot of us resort to telling the kids off if they are using too much electricity and also trying to get warm before reaching for the heating.

A lot of us are left surprised when we see the energy amount on our latest bill. But rather than being left in the dark, you need to know how much others are paying for their bills. That way, you know exactly how much you should be saving to put towards those bills every year and can find ways to cut costs. It’s interesting to know that your energy bills can differ depending on a number of factors such as where you live and what your energy is. Here are some important facts you need to know about your energy bills.

£1264 a year on energy bills

Yes, the average household in the United Kingdom is spending £105.33 a month which equates to a significant £1264 a year. These bills differ when it comes to electricity and gas. The average homeowner spends £707 on electricity which is over £150 more than is spent on gas – see https://www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk/blog/average-uk-energy-bills/.

While gas tends to be more popular currently, this will change in years to come as gas boilers will stop being introduced in homes in 2025. Homeowners will switch to more eco-friendly options and electric bills will rise with more people using this in their properties. Also, the UK’s energy regulator has increased the cap which unfortunately means costs have risen. Now homeowners in the UK will pay £96 more than last year when it comes to fuelling their property. This is not new; gas has increased 221% in the past two decades while electricity has risen 103% in the last decade.

Merseyside & North Wales are paying the most

If you live in these areas, you are paying the most in the country for your energy bills. It’s a surprising statistic, but the average person who lives in this area pays £1310 annually. The Southwest is also feeling the pinch with energy bills costing £1309.02. London, which is known as one of the most expensive places to live came in fifth place with the average homeowner splashing out £1293.67 on their energy bills. However, while electric was most costly for Merseyside & North Wales, London did top the list for gas bills.

And who pays the least in the UK for electricity and gas? East Midlands only pay £1224.96 on average a year on energy.

Direct Debit is the most popular form of payment

While a few decades ago, most people paid for their energy bills via prepayment or credit, nowadays people are going for direct debit when it comes to their energy bills. Nearly 69% of electric homes and 70% of homes are signing up for a direct debit to help them cover their energy.

COVID has caused more energy accounts in arrears

With thousands of people in debt due to lack of jobs and businesses relying on furlough, it’s no wonder that a lot of people ended up in arrears in the second half of 2020 when it came to their energy bills. 703K was in arrears in gas while 898k was owed on electric bills. While this is going back to normal now that businesses are back up and running, we can see there was a correlation when it came to unemployment and unpaid bills.

Bills stayed the same amount

A price cap was on many households in the UK which meant they were protected from expensive bills. It also meant a lot of people swapped between providers during the past year.

And if you are wondering how to keep costs down on your bills, do shop around, install useful heating controls, ensure your heating systems and insulation is up to date and do go energy efficient.