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Retired couple at home all day vs Couple in a house: Electricity Use Compared in the UK (2026)
Two people at home all day use more electricity than the same two people who are out at work, and the official benchmarks do not separate the two. The appliances are identical; the hours are not. Daytime TV, the kettle several times a day, lights on in winter afternoons, and a warmer house are where the difference comes from.
In the UK, retired couple at home all day uses about 2,500 kWh a year (£54.17 a month) and couple in a house about 2,500 kWh (£54.17 a month). That is 1.0× as much, or £0.000 more per month. Per person: 1,250 kWh vs 1,250 kWh a year.
Sources: Ofgem Typical Domestic Consumption Values, decision May 2026, effective 1 July 2026: Medium user (single-rate). Ofgem Typical Domestic Consumption Values, decision May 2026, effective 1 July 2026: Medium user (single-rate). Priced at £0.26 per kWh (Ofgem price cap 1 Jul–30 Sep 2026, 2026-07).
Where the difference comes from
| Category | Retired couple at home all day | Couple in a house | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration & freezing | 375 kWh | 375 kWh | +0 |
| Cooking | 218 kWh | 218 kWh | +0 |
| Washing, drying & dishwashing | 215 kWh | 215 kWh | +0 |
| TV, computing & network | 224 kWh | 224 kWh | +0 |
| Lighting | 129 kWh | 129 kWh | +0 |
| Other appliances | 1,339 kWh | 1,339 kWh | +0 |
- Hours drive this comparison, not devices: a TV on for eight hours costs as much as a console habit.
- If heating is electric, daytime heating in winter is the single largest difference.
- An electric blanket or heated throw in the evening is far cheaper than heating the room.
Only in the couple in a house
- Desktop Computer 102 kWh/yr
- Hair Dryer 99 kWh/yr
- Computer Monitor 20 kWh/yr
- Streaming Stick or Box 1 kWh/yr
- Printer (Inkjet or Laser) 1 kWh/yr
Only in the retired couple at home all day
- Electric Blanket 584 kWh/yr
- Slow Cooker 41 kWh/yr
The same comparison in other countries
| Country | Retired couple at home all day | 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 | 2,700 | 2,700 | 1.0× | €0.000 |
| France | 4,287 | 4,287 | 1.0× | €0.000 |
| Australia | 5,237 | 5,237 | 1.0× | A$0.000 |
| Canada (average) | 10,750 | 10,750 | 1.0× | C$0.000 |