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Appliance running cost calculator
Enter an appliance's power and how long you use it to see what it costs to run, from kettles and tumble dryers to electric heaters.
Defaults from our data file, last updated 2026-10-20.
Estimates only, not financial advice. Results use average UK figures and the assumptions shown. Your real costs depend on your home, tariff, region and installer quotes. Always get several quotes from certified installers and check current tariff rates before deciding.
How to work out what an appliance costs
Electricity is billed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh is 1,000 watts used for one hour. To find the cost, multiply the appliance's power in kilowatts by the hours it runs, then by your price per kWh. A 2,000 W (2 kW) heater running for one hour uses 2 kWh, which costs about 52.6p at the October 2026 price cap average of 26.32p per kWh.
The power rating is usually on a label on the back or base of the appliance, or in the manual, shown in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). Many appliances don't draw full power all the time. A fridge's compressor cycles on and off, a washing machine heats water only at the start, and an oven's thermostat switches the element on and off. For those, the yearly kWh figure on the UK energy label is more accurate. Divide it by 365 days and enter it as 1,000 W for that many hours.
Typical costs at 26.32p per kWh
These are approximate and based on typical power ratings:
- Kettle (3,000 W, about 4 minutes a boil): about 5p per boil
- Electric oven (about 2 kWh for an hour's cooking): about 53p
- Air fryer (1,500 W for 20 minutes): about 13p
- Microwave (1,000 W for 5 minutes): about 2p
- Tumble dryer (vented, around 4–5 kWh per cycle): about £1.05–£1.30 per load. A heat pump dryer uses roughly half that.
- Washing machine (about 0.6–1 kWh per 40°C cycle): about 16–26p
- Electric heater (2,000 W): about 53p an hour
- Electric shower (9,500 W for 8 minutes): about 33p per shower
- LED TV (100 W for 4 hours): about 11p a day
- LED bulb (8 W for 5 hours): about 1p a day
Standby power
Devices left on standby, such as TVs, games consoles, set-top boxes and chargers, can draw a few watts each, all day. Ten devices drawing 3 W each make 30 W, or 263 kWh a year, which costs about £69 at the cap rate. Switching off at the wall or using smart plugs can trim this.
Making the most of cheaper rates
If you're on a time-of-use tariff, running the dishwasher, washing machine or tumble dryer in the cheap window can cut its cost by half or more. Enter your off-peak rate in the calculator to see the difference. If you have solar panels, running appliances in the middle of a sunny day effectively costs only your lost export income, often 4–15p per kWh instead of 26p.
Why your bill may differ
This calculator covers unit costs only. Your bill also includes a daily standing charge (54.83p a day on the cap average, about £200 a year), which you pay however little you use. Your unit rate also depends on your region, tariff and payment method. Check your latest bill for your exact price.
FAQs
How much does it cost to boil a kettle?
About 5p for a full 3 kW kettle running for four minutes at 26.32p per kWh. Boiling only the water you need cuts this.
What uses the most electricity in a home?
Usually electric heating, electric showers, tumble dryers, ovens and EV charging, which are all high-power or long-running.
How do I find an appliance's wattage?
Check the rating plate on the appliance, the manual or the energy label. A plug-in energy monitor can measure real use.
Is it cheaper to use an air fryer than an oven?
For small portions, usually yes, because it uses less power for a shorter time.
Related calculators
Sources
- Ofgem – Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges (1 Oct–31 Dec 2026)
- Ofgem – Changes to energy price cap 1 October to 31 December 2026
- Ofgem – Review of typical domestic consumption values: decision (2026 TDCVs)
Estimates only, not financial advice. Results use average UK figures and the assumptions shown. Your real costs depend on your home, tariff, region and installer quotes. Always get several quotes from certified installers and check current tariff rates before deciding.