Average gas and electric bill UK:
what households pay in 2026
Average combined gas and electricity costs by household size, based on the Ofgem Q2 2026 price cap. See how your bill compares.
The average combined gas and electricity bill for a typical UK household is £1,641 per year or around £137 per month, based on the Ofgem Q2 2026 price cap. Gas accounts for roughly 60% of that total and electricity 40%. Smaller households pay significantly less, while larger homes can pay considerably more.
Average gas and electric bill by household size
| Household | Gas (annual) | Electricity (annual) | Combined (annual) | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed / 1 person | ~£565 | ~£652 | ~£1,217 | ~£101 |
| 2 bed / 2 people | ~£984 | ~£657 | ~£1,641 | ~£137 |
| 3 bed / 3 to 4 people | ~£1,210 | ~£875 | ~£2,085 | ~£174 |
| 4 bed / 5+ people | ~£1,640 | ~£1,100 | ~£2,740 | ~£228 |
Based on Ofgem Q2 2026 price cap (1 April to 30 June 2026): electricity 24.67p/kWh, 57.21p/day standing charge; gas 5.74p/kWh, 29.09p/day standing charge. England, Scotland and Wales average for direct debit customers, including 5% VAT. Source: Ofgem. Last updated May 2026. Reviewed each Ofgem price cap quarter.
Gas and electricity unit rates Q2 2026
| Fuel | Unit rate (per kWh) | Standing charge (per day) | Annual standing charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 24.67p | 57.21p | ~£209 |
| Gas | 5.74p | 29.09p | ~£106 |
| Combined standing charges | Both fuels | 86.30p | ~£315 |
Source: Ofgem Q2 2026 price cap. Direct debit customers, England, Scotland and Wales average, including 5% VAT. Last updated May 2026.
Standing charges are fixed daily costs you pay regardless of how much energy you use. Combined electricity and gas standing charges come to around £315 per year before you have used a single unit. For lower-consumption households, standing charges can represent a disproportionately large share of the total bill.
Why your bill might differ from the average
The Ofgem typical consumption figures used in the tables above are national averages. Your actual bill depends on a number of factors. Home insulation is one of the biggest. A well-insulated modern property retains heat far more efficiently than an older home with single glazing and no loft insulation, meaning the boiler runs less and the gas bill is substantially lower.
Boiler efficiency also matters. A 20-year-old boiler may operate at 70 to 80 percent efficiency compared to 90 to 92 percent for a modern condensing boiler. That difference translates directly into a higher gas bill for the same amount of heat delivered. Thermostat settings, the size of the property relative to the number of occupants, and how often you are at home all play a role too.
If your combined bill is higher than the figure for your household size, the first things to check are your tariff and your meter readings. Being on a standard variable tariff when cheaper fixed deals are available is the most common reason households overpay. See our guide to reducing energy bills for a full breakdown.
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Questions people ask
The average combined gas and electricity bill for a typical UK household is £1,641 per year or around £137 per month, based on the Ofgem Q2 2026 price cap. Gas accounts for roughly 60% and electricity 40%.
For a typical medium household, combined gas and electricity costs around £137 per month in 2026. A small household might pay £75 to £100 per month, while a large house could pay £190 to £250 per month depending on usage and insulation.
The average gas bill for a typical UK household is around £984 per year or £82 per month, based on typical consumption of 11,500 kWh at the Q2 2026 rate of 5.74p per kWh plus the daily standing charge. Gas accounts for roughly 60% of a typical dual-fuel energy bill.
The most common reasons are being on a standard variable tariff rather than a competitive deal, poor home insulation, an old boiler, and estimated meter readings inflating bills. Comparing tariffs is the fastest way to reduce a high bill.
Ofgem's typical domestic consumption values for a medium household are 2,700 kWh of electricity and 11,500 kWh of gas per year. These figures were updated in October 2023 to reflect lower average consumption across UK households.
Related energy guides
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