Family of four in a house vs Family of five or more in a house: Electricity Use Compared in France (2026)
A fifth person adds less than the fourth did. Larger families use more, mostly through laundry, a second fridge and more screens, but the per-person figure keeps falling. The US and Australian benchmarks show the step from four to five people is around 10 to 20 percent.
In France, family of four in a house uses about 6,034 kWh a year (€100.62 a month) and family of five or more in a house about 7,145 kWh (€119.14 a month). That is 1.2× as much, or €18.53 more per month. Per person: 1,508 kWh vs 1,429 kWh a year.
Sources: France publishes no figure by household type. This is the Enedis national average of 4,287 kWh scaled by the German Stromspiegel ratio for this household type (3,800 ÷ 2,700). France publishes no figure by household type. This is the Enedis national average of 4,287 kWh scaled by the German Stromspiegel ratio for this household type (4,500 ÷ 2,700). Priced at €0.200 per kWh (EDF Tarif Bleu, Aug 2026).
Where the difference comes from
| Category | Family of four in a house | Family of five or more in a house | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating & cooling | 1,871 kWh | 2,215 kWh | +344 |
| Water heating | 923 kWh | 1,093 kWh | +170 |
| Refrigeration & freezing | 851 kWh | 1,007 kWh | +156 |
| Cooking | 434 kWh | 514 kWh | +80 |
| Washing, drying & dishwashing | 362 kWh | 429 kWh | +67 |
| TV, computing & network | 658 kWh | 779 kWh | +121 |
| Lighting | 187 kWh | 221 kWh | +34 |
| Other appliances | 748 kWh | 886 kWh | +138 |
- Two laundry loads a day with a dryer is the biggest step up.
- Teenagers add screens and long showers, which matter only if hot water is electric.
- Per person, a family of five is the cheapest household of all.
Only in the family of five or more in a house
- Hair Straightener 5 kWh/yr
Only in the family of four in a house
- None
The same comparison in other countries
| Country | Family of four in a house | Family of five or more in a house | Ratio | Extra per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (average) | 13,072 | 14,336 | 1.1× | $19.32 |
| United Kingdom (same official figure for both) | 3,800 | 3,800 | 1.0× | £0.00 |
| Germany | 3,800 | 4,500 | 1.2× | €21.58 |
| France | 6,034 | 7,145 | 1.2× | €18.53 |
| Australia | 7,311 | 9,008 | 1.2× | A$49.50 |
| Canada (average) (same official figure for both) | 12,694 | 12,694 | 1.0× | C$0.00 |