What is the average household's electricity consumption?
An average two-person household uses an average of 2,550 kWh per year, while a one-person household uses approximately 1,640 kWh.
Average electricity consumption per person
Want to know how your electricity consumption compares to the average? The table below shows the average electricity consumption based on the number of people per household:
| Number of people | Average annual electricity consumption |
|---|---|
| 1 person | 1,640 kWh |
| 2 people | 2,550 kWh |
| 3 people | 3,080 kWh |
| 4 people | 3,600 kWh |
| 5 people or more | 3,980 kWh |
Higher electricity consumption in larger households
Average kWh consumption depends heavily on the number of people in a household. Electricity consumption increases with each additional household member, but it’s not the case that you simply double the electricity consumption for one person for each additional person.
This applies to the average electricity consumption of a household:
- Electrical appliances and lights are used longer and more frequently with more people at home.
- The size of your home has little impact on your average electricity consumption if you heat your home with gas. The number of residents is a much more significant factor.
You can find your household’s exact annual consumption on your annual statement. Compare this with similar households.
Average electricity consumption by municipality
Although the average electricity consumption of all households is around 2,500 kWh per year, there are significant regional differences in electricity consumption.
Look up your municipality and see if you use more or less electricity than the average in your region.
About average electricity consumption by region:
- Groningen has the lowest average electricity consumption at 3,178 kWh per household.
- Gelderland has the highest average electricity consumption at 4,332 kWh per household.
One explanation for these regional differences is that household composition can vary between municipalities.
The proportion of gas-free homes can also significantly affect average electricity consumption: if you heat your home with a heat pump, you use considerably more electricity.
What is the average monthly electricity consumption?
The average monthly electricity consumption is 8.3% of your total annual consumption, calculated over the course of a full year.
But your electricity consumption isn’t the same every month and is heavily influenced by the seasons. For example, you use more electricity in the winter than in the summer, because you have your lights on more often and for longer periods in the winter, and you also spend more time indoors.
- Households use the most electricity in December: 12.3% of annual consumption.
- The least electricity is consumed in June and July: 5.5% and 5.6%, respectively.
The graph below clearly shows how much electricity you consume on average per month in relation to your annual consumption:
Calculate monthly electricity usage
You can see above what the average annual consumption is for your situation, and then use the percentages in this table to calculate how much electricity you consume in each month.
For example: If you use 2,676 kWh per year, you’ll use about 294 kWh of electricity in January (11.7% of 2,676 kWh). In July, you’ll use only 134 kWh for the entire month (5.6%).
What is the average daily electricity consumption?
An average household consumes 6.8 kWh per day. That is the average over the entire year.
Daily consumption can vary significantly and changes with the seasons. For example, daily consumption in the summer does not exceed 5 kWh, while in the winter, average daily electricity consumption is higher than 10 kWh.
The graph below shows how much electricity an average household (2,500 kWh) uses per day:
Average electricity consumption of a heat pump
If you heat your home with a heat pump instead of gas, you’ll use more electricity than an average household with a similar average.
MilieuCentraal has calculated how much electricity a fully electric heat pump consumes for various types of homes.
| Type of home | Heat pump electricity consumption |
|---|---|
| Townhouse | 3,560 kWh |
| Corner house | 4,070 kWh |
| Semi-detached house | 4,400 kWh |
| Detached house | 5,670 kWh |
In these scenarios, we assume a two-person household and a reasonably well-insulated home. If you live with more people, add approximately 500 kWh per person to these figures.
Additionally, regarding the average electricity consumption of a heat pump:
- A heat pump accounts for about 61.5% of your total annual electricity consumption (based on various types of homes).
- A heat pump operates more efficiently and economically in a very well-insulated home (600 to 900 kWh less per year)
Average electricity consumption of an electric car
Do you charge your electric car at home using your own charging station or plug? If so, your annual electricity consumption will increase significantly.
An electric car consumes an average of 17 kWh per 100 kilometers, resulting in the following annual electricity consumption:
| Number of kilometers per year | Power consumption |
|---|---|
| 10,000 km | 1,700 kWh |
| 20,000 km | 3,400 kWh |
| 30,000 km | 5,100 kWh |
| 50,000 km | 8,500 kWh |
Electric cars use between 8 kWh and 30 kWh per 100 km. The difference between cars can therefore be significant.
Of course, the electricity you use elsewhere to charge your car (such as at a public charging station or at work) is not included in this calculation.
Average Power Consumption of Appliances
Everyone uses a wide variety of electrical appliances at home. It’s helpful to know which appliances consume the most and least electricity. This way, you can use your appliances at home more efficiently and, where possible, shift your electricity usage to off-peak hours (with a dynamic energy contract).
This overview shows the approximate average annual power consumption of commonly used household appliances.
| Device | Annual power consumption |
|---|---|
| Quooker | 365 kWh |
| Air conditioner | 350 kWh |
| Refrigerator/freezer | 160 kWh |
| Washing machine | 110 kWh |
| Dryer | 220 kWh |
| Dishwasher | 220 kWh |
| Air fryer | 94 kWh |
| Jacuzzi | 936 kWh |
| Electric heater | 500 kWh |
| Television | 170 kWh |
| Kitchen water heater | 300 kWh |
| Microwave | 35 kWh |
| Oven | 100 kWh |
| Induction cooktop | 175 kWh |
| Ceramic cooktop | 260 kWh |
Source: MilieuCentraal
Of course, this annual consumption may vary (significantly) depending on the age of the appliance, the model, the energy label, and how often you use it.
Want to calculate exactly how much your appliances consume? Use our handy tool to calculate energy consumption.
Are you also curious to see how your gas usage compares to the average?
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