Understanding your energy bill can help you make smarter choices about your energy use, your supplier and your home’s energy efficiency. Whether you want to compare your costs to the national average or want ways to cut back, this guide breaks down UK average energy bills.
We’ll look at electricity, gas and heating oil, and we’ll explain what goes into those costs.
Under the January 2026 energy price cap, a typical household in Great Britain (GB) pays around £79 a month for electricity, or £947 a year.
If you’re in a two-person household, your electricity use is likely lower. This means an annual bill of £673 to £910, or about £56 to £75 if you’re paying by monthly direct debit.
As of summer 2025, the average electricity bill in Northern Ireland (NI) is around £74 per month, or £883 per year.
If you’re in a two-person household, your electricity use is likely lower. This is an annual bill of £550 to £762, or about £46 to £64 if you’re paying by monthly direct debit.
Under the January 2026 energy price cap, a typical household in Great Britain (GB) pays around £72 a month for gas, or £809 per year. This assumes typical use of 12,000 kWh a year. For smaller households, bills range from £610 to £735 per year
The average gas bill is about £95 per month, or £1145 per year. This assumes typical use of 12,000 kWh annually. For smaller households, bills range from £760 to £950 per year.
Heating oil is commonly used in rural areas and Northern Ireland. While prices fluctuate, a typical household using oil for central heating might spend between £600 and £1,200 per year. This will depend on:
Bulk buying and seasonal timing can help reduce your heating oil costs.
Your energy bill is made up of:
Electricity costs between three and five times per unit more than gas for two main reasons:
Electricity prices are set by the most expensive source needed to meet demand, which is often gas-fired power stations. This means electricity prices rise with gas, even if cheaper renewable sources or nuclear provides most power that period. This is despite the fact that over half of the UK’s electricity comes from renewable energy sources.
These charges help fund low carbon schemes. But the bulk of these levies are applied to electricity bills, rather than gas. However, the UK Government outlined changes to some levies in the 2025 Autumn Budget.
If you’re struggling with energy costs, visit our hub for advice on saving money and accessing support.
Investing in energy efficiency can significantly reduce your energy bills:
Explore our house of the future to learn more about sustainable upgrades.
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Last updated: 23 January 2026
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