What Are the Costs of Electricity and How Much Power Do We Use?

Do you know how much electricity really costs you? Once you find the answer to this question, you can develop ways to save significant amounts of money. Electricity is not one of the cheapest resources in Poland. Its prices are constantly rising. By taking control of your electricity usage, you can improve your household budget.

Cost of Electricity – What Does It Include?

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the unit in which electricity consumption is billed. 1 kWh represents the amount of electricity consumed by a device with a power of 1000 watts over one hour.

It is important to first understand what makes up the price of 1 kWh. Keep in mind that the money for electricity goes to both the seller and the distributor (Distribution System Operator). The cost of electricity includes: the purchase price of electricity, excise duty, VAT, transmission, the distributor's operating costs, margin, and local fees and taxes. The chosen electricity tariff is also significant. In Poland, the most popular option is the G11 tariff, where the price of electricity is the same throughout the day. You can also opt for the G12 tariff, which has a division into time zones – a cheaper night rate and a more expensive daytime rate.

Current Price List – How Much Does 1 kWh of Electricity Cost?

The price of electricity depends on the region of the country. A specific area usually includes several electricity sellers and one operator. Among the most popular companies are: Enea S.A, Energa Obrót, PGE Obrót, Innogy, Tauron PE. Currently, for the G11 tariff, the average price of electricity is around 0.94 - 1.03 zł/kWh.

In 2022, the government decided to freeze electricity prices for households that do not exceed a specified limit. The lowest limit is 2000 kWh. For households with a disabled person, it will be 2600 kWh, and for farmers and holders of a large family card, it will be 3000 kWh. Once this limit is exceeded, the price for electricity will not exceed 0.693 zł/kWh.

The rising global cost of electricity is influenced by how much power we consume. Changing prices of ecological certificates and increasingly higher costs of carbon emission allowances are related to the planet's depleting resources. Therefore, it is worth investing in renewable energy sources, which often also allow for savings on electricity on a micro scale.

Household – How Much Electricity Does an Average Family Use?

Annual electricity consumption in a home depends on many factors. In each household, electricity powers different devices and is used for various purposes. To determine the demand for electricity, one must consider the number of RTV and household appliances, the method of heating the building and water, and the operation of ventilation or air conditioning. It is difficult to pinpoint the annual electricity consumption in a home precisely. To know an approximate value, one must check it independently or rely solely on imprecise estimates.

Many sources indicate that the average electricity consumption for a 4-person family in a 2+2 model is about 1900 kWh. However, this is a case where all household members pay attention to saving electricity. It is better to assume that in this situation, the estimated annual electricity consumption in a home will be around 2200-2300 kWh. It is worth noting that this number is usually lower in urban areas and higher in rural areas. To know the average electricity consumption per person, you cannot simply divide the indicated result by four. After all, an adult single has different needs than a family with children.

The average annual electricity consumption in a home for different family models is as follows:

– 1-person household: 800 – 1,600 kWh/year,

– 2-person household: 1,100 – 1,700 kWh/year,

– 3-person household: 1,400 – 2,100 kWh/year,

– 4-person household: 1,900 – 2,300 kWh/year,

– 5-person household: 2,200 – 2,700 kWh/year.

Of course, it is easier to reduce the average electricity consumption of a 4-person family than that of a single person, e.g., by replacing devices and bulbs with energy-efficient ones (a large family uses them more), but any action that contributes to reducing electricity demand is beneficial for both the household budget and the environment.

Average Electricity Consumption per Person – How to Save Energy?

Once you know how much electricity an average family consumes, it is worth considering how to specifically reduce this value and thus incur lower electricity costs. You do not have to compromise your daily comfort by sitting in the dark or turning off the TV earlier. There are several simple ways to save.

First of all, when purchasing any electrical device, pay attention to whether it is energy class A or higher. The higher the class, the lower the energy consumption of that device will be. It is also worth replacing all bulbs in the house with energy-efficient ones. This expense will quickly pay off and reduce how much electricity we consume.

Also, develop appropriate habits. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Only run the washing machine and dishwasher when you have a larger load of laundry or dishes. Do not leave devices in standby mode, especially if you are going on a longer trip. Turning off standby mode in such situations can significantly reduce the average electricity consumption of a 4-person family. It is also a good idea to periodically review the electrical devices used in the home – improperly functioning, dirty devices can generate significant energy losses.