What is an average energy user

MWT

StocktonFlyer said:

The Ofgem term is "typical user" rather than average, but I don't know how they have come up with those values. Mean, median or mode average usage, or something else entirely such as estimates based on property size?

You can find a lot of the details here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2020/01/tdcvs_2020_decision_letter_0.pdf

In particular...

"Most consumers consume relatively small amounts of energy, while few consume large amounts. The median or second quartile is a more representative of the typical “medium” usage. We use the first and third quartiles to represent the typical “low” and typical “high” usage respectively. In real terms, if consumers were ranked in order of energy consumption, the lower quartile reflects the annual consumption that only 25% of all consumers use less than. The higher quartile reflects the annual consumption that only 25% of all consumers use more than."

[Deleted User]

MWT said:

StocktonFlyer said:

The Ofgem term is "typical user" rather than average, but I don't know how they have come up with those values. Mean, median or mode average usage, or something else entirely such as estimates based on property size?

You can find a lot of the details here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2020/01/tdcvs_2020_decision_letter_0.pdf

In particular...

"Most consumers consume relatively small amounts of energy, while few consume large amounts. The median or second quartile is a more representative of the typical “medium” usage. We use the first and third quartiles to represent the typical “low” and typical “high” usage respectively. In real terms, if consumers were ranked in order of energy consumption, the lower quartile reflects the annual consumption that only 25% of all consumers use less than. The higher quartile reflects the annual consumption that only 25% of all consumers use more than."

Although strangely there’s more information in the proposal to change (the 2019 letter) than in the decision letter.

jimjames

Sibbet said:

How am I using more than the average user?

It might sound obvious but by having appliances on more often than the average user or by using devices that are less energy efficient that an average user. Only you can know whether you run your heating at 25C all the time or use a tumble drier day in day out.

First thing to do is to check your actual usage by reading the meter on a regular basis.

macman

Sibbet said:

Has anyone confirmed the average user amounts? I am a single household living on a state pension in a semi-detached. I have no radiators on upstairs. My DD is being changed to £298/month. How am I using more than the average user?

Not nearly enough info. Give us your actual annual kWh usage on each fuel and proper advice can be given. Web have no idea how the property is heated and hot watered, how high your room 'stat is set, how many hours per day, whether your account is in debit or credit as we enter winter...

Workerdrone

I suspect by the time October 2023 comes around this thread will have a swathe of people able to give real world data. I'm also looking forward to the pious humblebrag threads come next April of "I used 36 pence of gas all winter and it only cost me two toes and my wife's nose"