Natural-gas using households consumed a mean rate of 94 kilowatt-hours per square metre (kWh/m2) for F/G rated dwellings in 2023.

This was 36% higher than the mean of 69 kWh/m2 consumed by A/B rated dwellings, CSO data shows.

Dwelling type had the biggest impact on consumption levels.

Detached houses used 12,411 kWh of natural gas in 2023, 87% more than the 6,653 kWh consumed by apartments.

Within each type of dwelling, the more energy efficient buildings had larger total floor areas. Detached houses rated A/B had a mean floor area of 191m2, compared with a mean floor area of 124m2 in detached houses rated F/G.

Larger dwellings

The larger A/B rated dwellings consumed 8% more gas in 2023 in total than the less efficient F/G rated dwellings (9,032 kWh compared with 8,387 kWh).

Compared with 2022, gas consumption in 2023 fell by 10% in dwellings rated A/B.

Similar reductions were seen among dwellings with C ratings (-10%), D ratings (-11%), E ratings (-12%), and F/G ratings (-11%).