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Couple in an apartment vs Couple in a house: Electricity Use Compared in Germany (2026)
The same two people use noticeably more electricity in a house than in a flat. Not because of the people, but because of what a house comes with: a tumble dryer, a chest freezer, more rooms to light, a garage door, garden tools, and often a home office. Regulators in Germany and Canada publish flat and house figures separately for exactly this reason.
In Germany, couple in an apartment uses about 1,900 kWh a year (€58.58 a month) and couple in a house about 2,700 kWh (€83.25 a month). That is 1.4× as much, or €24.67 more per month. Per person: 950 kWh vs 1,350 kWh a year.
Sources: Stromspiegel für Deutschland (co2online, with the Federal Ministry for the Environment), average consumption by persons and building type: 2 persons, flat. Stromspiegel für Deutschland (co2online, with the Federal Ministry for the Environment), average consumption by persons and building type: 2 persons, house. Priced at €0.37 per kWh (BDEW Strompreisanalyse August 2026, 2026-08).
Where the difference comes from
| Category | Couple in an apartment | Couple in a house | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration & freezing | 190 kWh | 270 kWh | +80 |
| Cooking | 190 kWh | 270 kWh | +80 |
| Washing, drying & dishwashing | 247 kWh | 351 kWh | +104 |
| TV, computing & network | 551 kWh | 783 kWh | +232 |
| Lighting | 228 kWh | 324 kWh | +96 |
| Other appliances | 494 kWh | 702 kWh | +208 |
- The dryer alone can add a tenth to the total.
- A garage freezer is often an old appliance and uses more than the kitchen fridge.
- Outdoor and security lighting runs all night in a house and not at all in a flat.
Only in the couple in a house
- Desktop Computer 357 kWh/yr
- Clothes Dryer 178 kWh/yr
- Chest Freezer 108 kWh/yr
- Outdoor Security Floodlight 105 kWh/yr
- Electric Lawn Mower (Corded or Battery) 44 kWh/yr
- Printer (Inkjet or Laser) 4 kWh/yr
- Garage Door Opener 4 kWh/yr
Only in the couple in an apartment
- Smart Speaker 21 kWh/yr
The same comparison in other countries
| Country | Couple in an apartment | Couple in a house | Ratio | Extra per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (average) | 10,648 | 10,648 | 1.0× | $0.000 |
| United Kingdom | 2,500 | 2,500 | 1.0× | £0.000 |
| Germany | 1,900 | 2,700 | 1.4× | €24.67 |
| France | 3,017 | 4,287 | 1.4× | €21.17 |
| Australia | 5,237 | 5,237 | 1.0× | A$0.000 |
| Canada (average) | 7,417 | 10,750 | 1.4× | C$38.89 |