UK postcodes with highest energy bills named as warning sent to millions
Around 2.5 million households across the UK have been issued a warning as the areas with the highest energy consumption have been disclosed.
The most recent government data has pinpointed the UK postcodes with the greatest electricity and gas usage, alongside warnings for households on Economy 7 tariffs. As of 30 June 2025, the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) began its phase-out, meaning the radio signal that operates Economy 7 meters will eventually be deactivated, rendering meter control impossible.
This switch-off will impact energy customers who have an RTS meter in their property, potentially disrupting their heating and hot water supply. However, meters are currently being replaced nationwide in a phased manner to minimise disruption. It comes after Martin Lewis warned 'nothing to do with me' after complaints from money savers.
Martin Lewis, founder of Money Saving Expert, previously issued a warning to households in June. Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, he stated: "Got an old Economy 7 or multi-rate electricity meter? The 'Radio Teleswitch Service' which allows some old (non-smart) meters to function will be switched off at end of this month. It could mean your heating and hot water won't function properly, or incorrect bills. You need a meter upgrade now."
As reported by Manchester Evening News, the latest available Government data said that the CR0 postcode in Croydon, London had the highest combined electricity and gas usage in 2023.
UK postcodes with the highest electricity use
The CR0 postcode witnessed 224,034,930.99 kWh of electricity consumption across 61,886 households in the region. This equates to an average of 3,620.12 per household, which is nearly 1000 kWh above the national average of 2,700.
kWh used - Electricity
CR0
224034930.99
E14
171017722.06
LE2
150549144.34
LE3
141917617.09
SL6
141616301.55
N1
131078524.94
BN2
129748451.88
SE1
125601027.36
E17
124215668.64
BN3
121700778.81
READ MORE: Thousands of people to get free £290 payment this year - see who is eligible
UK postcodes with the highest gas consumption
For gas usage, the identical postcode recorded 61,886 households consuming 695,027,142.56 kWh, positioning them marginally below the national average of 11,500 kWh at approximately 11,230 kWh per household.
kWh Used - Gas
CR0
695027142.56
LE2
570963489.32
LE3
482089812.55
LE4
463536589.02
NG5
436596630.24
LE5
426926424.31
SL6
426231598.44
ST5
414291175.62
CV6
401969225.78
SW19
394512742.79
Steve Ferguson from Jefferson Gas offered some energy-saving advice for residents adapting to new metres and tariffs following the switch-off. "The advantage of Economy 7 tariffs has always been the ability to carry out tasks that use a lot of energy at times when the pricing is lower or 'off peak'," he explained.
"With the RTS switch-off meaning that this may no longer be possible, people who have relied on this to cut their energy bills may find themselves having to change their habits in order to adapt."
Steve continued: "While it would require an initial investment, those with the available budget may wish to change their electric heating system to Gas, as per unit, electricity on average is around 25 pence per KWH with a daily standing charge of 51 pence, and gas is on average around 6-7 pence per unit. Depending on your consumption, you may be able to recoup your investment in a relatively short amount of time."
He added: "Similarly, it's worth checking the energy efficiency ratings of any older appliances and updating them where possible, as this will minimise the amount of energy used in everyday tasks such as cooking or laundry. Even small steps such as switching from filament to LED lightbulbs can help to lower your consumption. Ultimately however the best way to cut usage is by building better habits."
Research from 2018 revealed that households leaving lights blazing throughout the night waste over 3 million pounds every single night in squandered electricity - a figure that would be considerably higher given today's soaring prices.
Steven said: "While it's certainly not a new message, remembering to switch off lights when you leave a room is arguably more important now that more people are working from home."
"If you have the space, hang clothes to dry on sunny days instead of using the tumble drier. When you make a cup of tea or coffee, only boil as much water as you need and while a long bath is a great way to relax, a 4 minute shower will use a lot less energy for the same result," he concluded.
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In its report, MEM characterises the protest as 'violent incidents … restricting the right of other members of the community to be consulted'. Dundee says it cooperated with all of Ecuador's 'strict and well-defined regulations'. In a statement, the ministry said that communities had been consulted in accordance with the law. The fear of state violence now hangs over environmental defenders in the Cajas region as well, activists say. 'Now, they have bigger, deadlier arms, and they use them to intimidate us,' Remache says. And the stakes are high for biodiversity, water and communities. 'Any disturbance, any change in land use, any extractive activity [in the Cajas] will directly affect species that have nowhere else to go,' Sánchez says. 'We'll lose not only unique species but also the water supplying entire communities,' he adds. And the outcome here may set a precedent for the rest of Ecuador. 'This is the mother of all battles,' says Carlos Castro, a legal professor and opponent of mining in the region. 'If we lose here, the rest will fall like dominoes.' Find more age of extinction coverage here, and follow the biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield in the Guardian app for more nature coverage
