Any irregularities in your energy bills are worth a second look. Too high and there might need to adjust your usage, too low and you could end up owing your supplier money when it's corrected. Knowing roughly what you should be paying based on what a house of your size tends to use is therefore pretty useful.
This guide will detail average gas and electricity usage for a 3-bed house.
How much electricity does a 3-bed house use?
A three-bedroom house would be deemed by Ofgem to be a medium consumption property which equates to around 3,000Kwh of electricity. This can vary greatly depending on your individual circumstances. The behaviour and lifestyle of the home's inhabitants play a large part in this. If for example, you are a young family with both parents not working from home and with children at school you will use much less electricity than three young professionals who all work from home.
How much gas does a 3-bed house use?
Assuming that your 3-bed home uses natural gas (some properties are powered entirely by electricity) you can expect to get through around 12,000kWh. If you notice that your consumption is far higher than this it might be worth looking into how to bring it down.
Wearing a jumper and another pair of socks when it’s cold is a great way to start, and when the heating does need to come on making sure you only use it in rooms that are being occupied will also help. Buying thermal curtains and keeping them drawn is another simple way to make sure you can keep your house warm with less energy.
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.
The average electricity bill for a 3-bed house
The average cost for electricity in the UK sits at around 28p per Kwh, as well as a standing charge of 45p per day. So, taking our earlier figure of 3,000kWh, the average annual bill is around £1,004 per year, or around £83 per month.
However, from October 2022, the energy price cap will rise by around 80%. This means that an average 3-bed house will be paying around £1,728 per year for their electricity, or £144 per month.
Your actual bill could be higher or lower than this if you're not on a fixed rate as it will vary depending on the cost of electricity.
Which supplier you have chosen will also have an impact on the monthly bill. If you opt for one of the more prestigious ‘big six’ energy providers you are likely to pay slightly more than if you are supplied by one of the smaller companies.
Did you know: you can save on your energy bills (between £260 and £580 a year according to the Energy Saving Trust) by upgrading your boiler. Click the button below to see how simple it is to upgrade to an energy-efficient boiler today.
Compare boiler prices and save on energy costsThe average gas bill for a 3-bed house
Typically, a 3-bed house would spend £938 per year or £78 per month on gas. This is based on the average cost of gas being around 7p per kWh, on top of a 27p daily standing charge.
However, after the price cap rises in October 2022, a 3-bedroom home will be paying an average of £1,902 per year on gas, or around £158 per monnth.
The size of the house will also have a big impact on how much you’re paying each month. A 3-bed bungalow with small rooms will cost vastly less to heat than a large country house with three master bedrooms.
If you have a smart meter, it may be a good idea to try and understand when you’re using the most energy. If you find you are using a lot of gas at a time when it’s not being taken advantage of, such as having the heating on too early, you may want to rethink your habits.
Should I get my house insulated?
While insulating a house can be quite expensive, it’s a great way to not only do your part for the environment but save money as well. Getting double glazing windows is a simple and relatively cost-effective way to start.
When considering more expensive projects like wall cavity or loft insulation it’s worth understanding the benefit that you could expect to see from this. If you have bought a home that you plan to stay in for many years then it could certainly be seen as a worthwhile investment. You also don’t need to pay for it all yourself, as some energy companies will actually put money towards insulation.
What’s the best way to get cheap gas and electricity?
A few behavioural changes towards your energy usage around the home can make a huge difference to your annual bills. Additionally, using technology such as smart meters and plug timers are great ways to get extra control of your usage.
The most tried and tested way of reducing your energy bills though is to switch providers. Switching energy providers has never been easier with the actual changeover generally handled entirely by the respective companies, meaning you don’t have to do much at all.
The first step is always seeing what’s available to you, which you can do with our handy energy comparison tool.