Four of the twelve Kent districts (Dartford, Gravesham, Shepway and Thanet were below the National average (4,099 kwh) for electricity

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1 [Business Intelligence Statistical Bulletin June 2015 Domestic energy consumption 2013 Kent Local Authorities Related documents Non domestic energy consumption Dwelling stock Climate Change Act Environmental Policies Note: In this bulletin Kent refers to the Kent County Council (KCC) area which excludes Medway. Further information Business Intelligence Research & Evaluation Kent County Council Sessions House Maidstone Kent ME14 1XQ This bulletin presents the 2013 gas and electricity energy consumption for domestic users in local authority districts in Kent. The data series has been revised and published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). Climate change and the Earth s resources have become a high profile issue. Individuals, households, businesses, organisations and interest groups are currently faced with increasing pressure from regulators and pressure groups to improve energy consumption and environmental performance. Further details can be found on page 9 of this bulletin Total domestic energy consumption (gas and electricity together) in Kent, during 2013, was 17,753 kwh per consumer unit. This is 1.8% lower than the previous year and 15.0% lower than 5 years ago. This is similar to the national reduction of 15.5% over the same period. The total domestic energy consumption for each gas consumer unit (meter) in Kent during 2013 was 13,473 kwh. This is 1.4% lower than the previous year and 19.6% lower than 5 years ago. The total domestic energy consumption for each electricity consumer unit (meter) in Kent during 2013 was 4,279 kwh. This is the same as the previous year and 3.7% lower than 5 years ago. Tel:

2 Domestic energy total consumption summary The total energy consumption per domestic consumer unit in Kent (KCC area) during 2013 was estimated to be 17,753 kwh (gas and electricity taken together). This is similar to the national average for England 17,759 kwh. This is a 1.8% fall on the previous year and the eighth consecutive annual reduction since records were first published in 2005 (Table 1). Consumption varied across the county with domestic users in Sevenoaks district using an average 21,847 kwh. In contrast to Thanet district where average consumption was 16,034 kwh. The average use in the Medway area was 16,289 kwh (Table 1). Average gas consumption per meter in Kent, measured in kwh, was over three times (3.15) electricity consumption; 13,473 kwh of gas compared to 4,279 kwh of electricity (Table 1). Domestic energy electricity consumption summary Average electricity consumption per consumer unit in Kent was 4,279 kwh of electricity. This is almost the same as the previous year, however, it is about 4% higher than the national average (4,099 kwh) (Table 2). Five local authority districts across the county (Dartford, Gravesham, Maidstone, Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells) have seen reductions in the amount of electricity energy used compared to the previous year. Two districts (Shepway and Swale) showed no change (Table 2). Four of the twelve Kent districts (Dartford, Gravesham, Shepway and Thanet were below the National average (4,099 kwh) for electricity consumption (Table 2). Electricity usage is now being presented as Economy 7 meters and Standard meters (Table 3). Domestic energy gas consumption summary All local authority districts across the county have seen reductions in the amount of gas energy used compared to the previous year. Over a five year period domestic users in Thanet district have reduced energy use by over 22%, nationally the reduction is almost 20% (Table 5). Three of the twelve Kent districts (Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge & Malling) were above the National average (13,660 kwh) for gas consumption (Table 5). In 2013 there were 549,000 domestic gas meters in Kent (KCC area) compared to 636,000 electricity meters. Nearly every home would have an electricity meter and the difference may represent the number of all electric homes (Tables 3 and 6). Page 2

3 Table 1 Kent: Average domestic energy consumption per consumer (kwh) 2013 Source: DECC Presented by Business Inteligence Kent County Council Average household consumption (kwh) sales per consumer unit Gas Electricity Total kwh % kwh % kwh Ashford 12, , ,311 Canterbury 13, , ,581 Dartford 13, , ,191 Dover 12, , ,078 Gravesham 12, , ,027 Maidstone 13, , ,874 Sevenoaks 16, , ,847 Shepway 12, , ,435 Swale 12, , ,476 Thanet 12, , ,034 Tonbridge & Malling 14, , ,764 Tunbridge Wells 15, , ,413 Kent (KCC area) 13, , ,753 Medway UA 12, , ,289 SE Region 14, , ,454 England 13, , ,759 Page 3

4 Table 2 Kent: Domestic Electricity sales (kwh) consumption Source: DECC Presented by Business Intelligence Kent County Council Average Domestic consumption (kwh) per consumer unit Ashford 4,942 4,936 4,871 4,702 4,610 4,603 4,568 4,497 4,533 Canterbury 4,385 4,367 4,314 4,185 4,103 4,089 4,059 4,031 4,102 Dartford 4,496 4,446 4,414 4,236 4,143 4,149 4,074 4,034 4,001 Dover 4,173 4,164 4,089 3,954 3,867 3,858 3,812 3,773 3,844 Gravesham 4,427 4,444 4,337 4,178 4,125 4,135 4,140 4,031 4,028 Maidstone 4,792 4,764 4,730 4,559 4,486 4,453 4,439 4,390 4,335 Sevenoaks 5,585 5,551 5,541 5,372 5,300 5,293 5,245 5,214 5,146 Shepway 4,494 4,453 4,378 4,227 4,153 4,136 4,135 4,060 4,061 Swale 4,591 4,577 4,472 4,324 4,224 4,237 4,208 4,150 4,153 Thanet 4,172 4,161 4,057 3,918 3,851 3,818 3,842 3,779 4,003 Tonbridge & Malling 4,933 4,937 4, ,596 4,576 4,552 4,487 4,456 Tunbridge Wells 5,266 5,196 5,202 5,010 4,916 4,918 4,846 4,874 4,689 Kent (KCC area) 4,688 4,666 4,604 4,444 4,365 4,355 4,327 4,277 4,279 Medway UA 4,405 4,401 4,294 4,147 4,068 4,050 4,037 3,965 3,992 SE Region 4,887 4,780 4,721 4,543 4,477 4,471 4,407 4,358 4,414 England 4,618 4,467 4,404 4,209 4,163 4,163 4,095 4,034 4,099 Page 4

5 Table 3 Kent: Domestic Electricity number of customer units Source: DECC Presented by Business Intelligence Kent County Council Number of Domestic meters (thousands) Ashford Canterbury Dartford Dover Gravesham Maidstone Sevenoaks Shepway Swale Thanet Tonbridge & Malling Tunbridge Wells Kent (KCC area) Medway SE Region 3,552 3,565 3,581 3,635 3,672 3,699 3,712 3,736 3,755 England 21,930 22,389 22,613 22,671 22,886 23,025 23,113 23,221 23,320 Page 5

6 Table 4 Kent: Domestic Electricity type of meter 2013 Source: DECC Presented by Business Intelligence Kent County Council Economy 7 meters Standard Meters Domestic consumers All domestic (000's) % (000's) % (000's) Ashford Canterbury Dartford Dover Gravesham Maidstone Sevenoaks Shepway Swale Thanet Tonbridge & Malling Tunbridge Wells Kent (KCC area) Medway SE Region , ,755.0 England 4, , ,319.9 Page 6

7 Table 5 Kent: Domestic gas sales (kwh) and numbers of customer units Source: DECC Presented by Business Intelligence Kent County Council Average Domestic Mean consumption (1) (kwh) per consumer unit Ashford 17,353 16,803 16,256 15,343 14,225 14,192 13,228 12,951 12,778 Canterbury 18,632 17,720 17,199 16,525 15,154 15,060 14,079 13,787 13,479 Dartford 17,913 17,305 16,693 16,059 14,706 14,579 13,536 13,543 13,190 Dover 17,431 16,615 15,984 15,177 13,881 13,851 12,875 12,597 12,234 Gravesham 18,163 17,367 16,743 16,206 14,863 14,759 13,765 13,505 12,999 Maidstone 18,695 17,932 17,263 16,502 15,162 15,056 14,056 13,802 13,539 Sevenoaks 21,699 21,054 20,479 19,757 18,253 18,160 17,025 16,991 16,701 Shepway 17,715 16,871 16,153 15,324 13,975 14,023 12,938 12,682 12,374 Swale 17,520 16,744 16,295 15,469 14,290 14,162 13,102 12,756 12,323 Thanet 17,575 16,624 16,005 15,175 13,902 13,726 12,712 12,477 12,031 Tonbridge & Malling 19,063 18,447 17,890 17,203 15,903 15,807 14,764 14,622 14,308 Tunbridge Wells 20,410 19,824 19,176 18,525 17,052 16,999 15,943 15,945 15,724 Kent (KCC area) 18,514 17,776 17,178 16,439 15,114 15,031 14,002 13,805 13,473 Medway UA 17,264 16,525 15,932 15,301 14,073 13,949 12,956 12,753 12,297 SE Region 18,994 18,322 17,799 17,022 15,536 15,382 14,416 14,382 14,040 England 18,921 18,132 17,508 16,799 15,307 15,110 14,157 14,043 13,660 (1) Customers w ith an annual consumption of 73,200 kwh or low er w hich w ill include some small industrial and commercial consumers. Page 7

8 Table 6 Kent: Domestic gas sales (kwh) and numbers of customer units Source: DECC Presented by Business Intelligence Kent County Council Number of Domestic meters (1) (thousands) Ashford Canterbury Dartford Dover Gravesham Maidstone Sevenoaks Shepway Swale Thanet Tonbridge & Malling Tunbridge Wells Kent (KCC area) Medway SE Region 2,964 3,008 3,052 3,077 3,110 3,131 3,145 3,153 3,169 England 18,782 19,039 19,293 19,397 19,586 19,683 19,780 19,848 19,944 (1) Customers w ith an annual consumption of 73,200 kwh or low er w hich w ill include some small industrial and commercial consumers. Page 8

9 Background information on domestic energy consumption Businesses, individuals, households, organisations and interest groups are currently faced with increasing pressure from regulators and pressure groups to improve environmental performance. Climate change has become a high profile issue with the UK Government setting a framework for CO 2 reduction up to 2050 through the Climate Change Act 2008 (amended 2010). Generally people are aware of greenhouse gases and that they are found naturally in air. They include carbon dioxide (approx 80% of the total greenhouse gasses), methane (10%), nitrous oxide (6%) and fluorocarbons (5%). These gases trap heat in the atmosphere and keep the earth's surface much warmer than it would be if there was no atmosphere. This warming is known as the greenhouse effect. In the last 200 years, the amount of greenhouse gases in the air has been increasing. The biggest contribution to global warming is carbon dioxide. The way we use energy in buildings causes emissions of carbon. The energy we use for heating, lighting and power in homes produces over 25% of the nation s carbon dioxide emissions, other buildings produce a further one-sixth (17%). However, energy efficiency isn t just about saving the planet s resources and climate change. It is also about saving money. As a result, energy efficiency in the home is one of the Government s main areas of focus for action on climate change. Sources of information Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Measuring and monitoring emissions Measuring, monitoring and comparing energy consumption is relatively new. Statistics at local authority level which provide a time series and enable comparisons between local authorities have, in some instances, particularly for the gas and electricity industries only recently been published. Please note information should be used only as a guide as some of the information is estimated, albeit in the most scientific manner. kwh The kilowatt hour, (symbol kwh) is a unit of energy equal to 1,000 watt hours. The kilowatt hour is most commonly known as a billing unit for energy delivered to consumers by electricity utility companies. For example: A heater rated at 1,000 watts (1 kilowatt), operating for one hour uses one kilowatt hour of energy. Also, using a 60 watt light bulb for one hour consumes 0.06 kilowatt hours of electricity. Alternatively using a 60 watt light bulb for one thousand hours consumes 60 kilowatt hours of electricity. Energy is not measured in kilowatts, but in kilowatt hours (kwh). Mixing up the two units is a very common mistake. 1,000 kwh is tonnes of oil equivalent Page 9

10 1ktoe Is one thousand tonnes of oil equivalent. 1ktoe is 11,630,000 kwh Average domestic energy bill On most energy comparison websites there are quotes for the average electricity bill for households around the UK. This is derived from set figures that the energy regulator ofgem (Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets) have provided for electricity suppliers to use. It is basic in its measure and is as follows: Average electricity usage 3,300 kwh for single rate electricity averaged across all regions and average gas usage of 20,500 kwh. Most companies will then quote prices for paying by monthly direct debit, which generally lowers the charges. The current rate for British Gas standard tariff, for dual fuel, works out to be a yearly bill of around 1,300. Formula used to convert gas meter readings to kilowatt hours (kwh) Electricity meters usually show the amount of electricity consumed in kwh. The provider then bills directly for that usage. However, gas meters cannot show the amount of energy consumed, just the amount of gas which has passed through. This is measured in hundreds of cubic feet, or cubic meters if a new metric meter has been installed. For billing purposes this has to be converted to kwh by a formula. A key element of this formula is the calorific value of the gas. This is a number relating to the amount of heat obtained if a certain amount of the gas is burnt. This number can change daily, but generally has a value between 37 and 44. Any regional variations will only make a small difference to a gas bill. The formula used to convert gas meter readings to kwh is generally to take the units used as recorded by the meter and: Multiply by the metric conversion factor 2.83 (If there is a newer metric meter measuring gas in cubic metres you do not need to do this) Multiply by the volume conversion factor Multiply by the calorific value which is currently 39.4 in SE region Divide by the conversion factor 3.6 to get the number of kilowatt hours (kwh). The data The data analysed in this document are based on the aggregation of Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) readings throughout Great Britain obtained as part of DECC s annual meter point electricity data collection exercise. Across Great Britain, 37 per cent of electricity is estimated to be consumed in the domestic sector, and 63 per cent by the non-domestic sector (compared with 92 per cent of meters in the domestic sector and 8 per cent in the nondomestic sector). However, the split varies across the regions of Great Britain. Domestic consumption accounted for 32 per cent of total electricity consumption in Greater London and 43 per cent in the South West. Page 10

11 Approximately 10 per cent of households in Great Britain are not connected to the gas grid; however the proportions vary across each region. The South West and Scotland had the highest proportion of properties without a gas meter (20 per cent and 18 per cent respectively). In the North East and North West only around four per cent of households are not connected to the gas network. There are no hard and fast conventions as to why some areas use more or less energy than other areas. A number of factors may be at play when it comes to energy use. The size of the property, amount of insulation (walls, roof and windows), income available, employment opportunities, old or new property types, household size, household appliances, type of household, town centre or rural location, geographical location (eg hillside or coastal etc). Further research investigations would be required to establish conclusive reasons for differing energy use. Historically, local authority level statistics have been published by a domestic/non-domestic split. A further breakdown of the domestic sector has now been published by the DECC providing information by type of domestic meter (standard and Economy 7). The DECC have had feedback that it would be helpful to include the median as well as mean in the published statistics. The DECC have included the median in their published data from The mean is a useful indicator of changes in consumption behaviour over time, however it does not represent the typical consumption or take into account the spread of the data. Further information or data at small area level please contact the DECC or Business Intelligence research@kent.gov.uk Use of the Data This bulletin is one of a series on different topics. The data are used for a variety of purposes; generally as evidence and intelligence to monitor and support Kent County Councils (KCC) business performance. The information is also used to support KCC projects, policies and initiatives such as in the formulation of policy, monitoring resources, answering questions, queries and benchmarking against other authorities. The various bulletins are used by and distributed to Kent Local Authority planning policy teams, KCC household population forecasting, KCC district profiles dashboard, KCC Education department, KCC Locate in Kent, the Kent Housing Group (KHG) and the Kent Developers Group (KDG). Page 11