Considering that there are many differing types/ sizes of house in Scotland it is clear that all will use varying amounts of electricity depending on there own unique situation.

Listed below are some examples of the varying levels of electricity consumption from household to household.

1. Working Couple - 4,117 kWh electricity
2. Single Person - 3,084 kWh electricity
3. Family with two children - 5,480 kWh electricity
(Parents working, children at school)

Source - University of Strathclyde

To give a comparison illustrated below is a example of a recent electricity bill for a two - person flat. The bill is for the winter period and so should be an above average quarterly consumption - as typically more lights are used during winter, we may watch more TV, make more cups of tea, etc.

24883 units - 23815 units = 1068 kWh were used in 92 days
1. Calculate % of year 92 / 365 = 25.2 % (365 days in year)
2. Calculate yearly total 1, 068 kWh x (100/25.2) = 4238kWh

Approximate annual household energy consumption for three bedroom house = 4200kWh

The electricity consumption figures have been calculated over the winter months, November to March. This means that electricity consumption figures are slightly higher than normal as during the winter we use more electricity, as lights may be on for longer, we spend more time inside -watching more TV or generally using more appliances than during the summer months. If this figure takes into account reduced summer electricity use. The yearly figure would be reduced to under 4000kWh.

Throughout this website it is intended to take an average annual electricity consumption of 3,880kWh.

How much do you use

In order to establish how your own electricity consumption compares with figures quoted previously you could

1. Check you own electricity bills over the period of a year to calculate how much electricity you use and how much it costs you.
2. Alternatively you could calculate your own electricity consumption figures using our Household Electricity Consumption Guide. See also the instructions on how to use the guide - Instructions

This can help you calculate how much electricity you use in your house or individual rooms within the house - living room, kitchen, bedrooms / offices, and bathrooms.

The amount of energy a specific appliance consumes can be illustrated in the following formula:

Wattage x Hours Used Per Day
1000

= (1 kilowatt (kW) = 1,000 Watts)
= Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption

Multiply this by the number of days you use the appliance during the year for the annual consumption.

You can then calculate the annual cost to run an appliance by multiplying the number of kWh per year used by your electricity suppliers standard electricity charge per kWh consumed, typically around 6.8p/kWh

Example:

1. If you watch TV 4 hours a day you can calculate how much electricity this will use per year.

TV Power rating = 100 Watts x 4 hours / day x 365 days / year
1000
= 146 kWh x 6.8 p / kWh
= £9.98 / year

2. Check how much electricity your personal computer and monitor use

Personal Computer and Monitor (220+150)
= 370 Watts x 4 hours/day x 365 days/year
1000
= 540 kWh x 6.8 p / kWh
= £36.73 / year

Appliances such as refrigerators, although turned "on" all the time, actually cycle on and off at a rate that depends on a number of factors. These factors include how well it is insulated, room temperature, freezer temperature, how often the door is opened, if the coils are clean, if it is defrosted regularly, and the condition of the door seals.

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