Typical office energy consumption
Consumption scales with floor area and headcount, though modern energy-efficient buildings can use notably less than older stock with inefficient heating and lighting systems.
| Office size | Electricity (kWh/yr) | Gas (kWh/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 20 staff) | 18,000 - 40,000 | 10,000 - 30,000 |
| Medium (20-75 staff) | 40,000 - 120,000 | 30,000 - 90,000 |
| Large (75+ staff) | 120,000 - 300,000+ | 90,000 - 250,000+ |
What drives the cost
- Heating and air conditioning, often the largest cost component in older buildings
- Lighting across open-plan and meeting room areas
- IT equipment including desktops, servers and networking hardware
- Kitchen facilities such as kettles, microwaves and fridges
- Lift and communal area energy use in multi-floor buildings
Gas versus electricity split
Offices with gas-fired central heating typically see gas represent a meaningful share of winter consumption, while offices with electric heating or heat pumps shift almost entirely towards electricity. Server rooms and IT-heavy offices also increase the electricity share relative to gas.
Hybrid working and reduced occupancy
Many offices have seen average daily occupancy fall with the rise of hybrid working, which can reduce overall consumption but does not always reduce fixed costs such as standing charges proportionately. Reviewing actual occupancy against contracted supply capacity can identify opportunities to right-size a contract.
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Standing charges and metering
Smaller offices are typically on standard non-half-hourly metering, while larger multi-floor offices may qualify for half-hourly settlement. Standing charges are generally moderate compared with equipment-heavy sectors, reflecting lower overall connection capacity needs.
Contract length and renewal timing
One to three year fixed contracts are standard for offices, offering predictable budgeting with relatively low administrative overhead. Renewal quotes should be compared 3 to 4 months before contract end to avoid a rollover onto a more expensive rate.
How to compare office energy prices
- Provide 12 months of consumption data, noting any change in occupancy or hybrid working policy
- Confirm whether heating is gas-fired or electric before requesting quotes
- Check whether current supply capacity still matches actual peak demand
- Compare unit rates and standing charges across several suppliers before renewing