The cost of living

Roasting a chicken (electric oven)
Energy usage: 3.50kWh 1995 price: 31.92p July 2008 price: 44.55p Now: 51.23p Photograph: Foodcollection/Getty

Having a shower (gas boiler)
Energy usage: 2.36kWh 1995 price: 5.15p July 2008 price: 7.24p Now: 9.41p Photograph: Nicholas Eveleigh/Getty

Watching EastEnders on a 17in flat-screen TV
Energy usage: 0.28kWh 1995 price: 2.59p July 2008 price: 3.61p Now: 4.16p Photograph: Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty

Filling a bath (gas boiler)
Energy usage: 4.71kWh 1995 price: 10.29p July 2008 price: 14.48p Now: 18.82p Photograph: Didier Robcis/Corbis

Washing one load of clothes at 40C
Energy usage: 0.5kWh 1995 price: 4.56p 6.36p Now: 7.32p Photograph: Getty

Running a 60W bulb for 1 hour
Energy usage: 0.06kWh 1995 price: 0.55p July 2008 price: 0.76p Now: 0.88p Photograph: Clive Streeter/Dorling Kindersley/Getty

Running a 12W eco-friendly bulb for 1 hour
Energy usage: 0.01kWh 1995 price: 0.11p July 2008 price: 0.15p Now: 0.18p Photograph: Luke MacGregor/Reuters

Boiling a kettle
Energy usage:0.15kWh 1995 price: 1.37p July 2008 price: 1.91p Now: 2.2p Photograph: Getty

Toasting two slices of bread
Energy usage: 0.05kWh 1995 price: 0.46p July 2008 price: 0.64p Now: 0.73p Photograph: Sigthor Markusson/Getty

Using a hairdryer for 5 mins
Energy usage: 0.16kWh 1995 price: 1.43p July 2008 price: 1.99p Now: 2.29p
· Prices correct as of July 31 2008. Costs after price rise are an average of current and projected price increases, 15% on electricity and 30% on gas. Prices are for typical energy tariffs - standard tariffs from major suppliers. Source: energyhelpline.com Photograph: PR