UK homes using more electricity year-on-year despite cost of living pressures, data reveals 

Electricity consumption up 6.4% year-on-year while gas usage remains broadly flat, analysis from Chameleon Technology shows

Growing complexity highlights need for household-level visibility as electricity becomes dominant energy source

As the latest Ofgem energy price cap takes effect today, new analysis from Chameleon Technology reveals that UK household electricity consumption is continuing to rise year-on-year, reflecting a longer-term shift in how energy is used in the home. 

Data from a cohort of around 23,000 households in Great Britain shows electricity usage increased by 6.4% between March 2025 and March 2026 – rising from an average 789 kWh to 839 kWh per household – while gas consumption rose by just 3% over the same period. 

A four-year analysis shows electricity demand has grown by approximately 18% since 2023, with gas usage remaining broadly flat, despite continued cost of living pressures that might typically be expected to suppress demand.  

This challenges the assumption that household energy use might fall due to cost of living pressures. Instead, the data points to a structural shift towards greater electrification in the home, as technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps become more widespread, coupled with changing consumer behaviours. 

The findings become even more pressing with the latest Ofgem energy price cap increase taking effect today, raising annual dual-fuel costs to £1,862. As households face higher bills, the data shows electricity consumption is rising regardless – highlighting why visibility and control over usage is now more critical than ever. 

Kyle Brown, Chief Commercial Officer at Chameleon Technology, commented: “Electricity demand isn’t slowing down, it’s shifting. As homes electrify, we’re seeing greater reliance on technologies like EV charging and electric heating, which are changing how and when electricity is used in the home.”

“If this demand continues to grow – which it almost certainly will – we cannot keep putting off the widescale infrastructure reforms needed for the grid. We can’t focus on short-term affordability simply to push a complex problem down the line.”

“At the same time, most households still don’t have clear visibility into how they’re using energy,” Brown added. “As demand grows, that becomes a bigger issue if people are expected to manage costs effectively. Without better insight, households are making decisions in the dark. That’s why it’s so important to encourage households to engage with their in-home displays, or energy apps – the data is there, it’s ready to be used.”

The findings also highlight the growing importance of appliance-level energy monitoring as electricity becomes the dominant energy source in UK homes. As device-driven demand increases, tools that provide real-time usage visibility – such as in-home displays, CT clamps and energy monitoring apps – are becoming critical for helping households understand, optimise and control their energy consumption.