Appliance running cost calculator
Find out what your appliances really cost to run. Pick an appliance or enter its wattage. The unit rate defaults to the Ofgem price cap average for 1 October to 31 December 2026.
How to work out running costs
Cost = power in kW × hours used × price per kWh
For example, a 2,000W (2 kW) heater running for 4 hours uses 8 kWh. At 26.32p per kWh that costs £2.11 a day.
Typical running costs at 26.32p per kWh
| Appliance | Typical use | Cost per use |
|---|---|---|
| Electric shower (9kW) | 10 minutes | 39p |
| Tumble dryer (vented) | 1 cycle (2.5 kWh) | 66p |
| Electric oven | 1 hour (2.4 kWh) | 63p |
| Dishwasher | 1 cycle (1.4 kWh) | 37p |
| Air fryer | 45 minutes | 30p |
| Washing machine | 1 wash at 40°C | 26p |
| Kettle | 1 full boil | 2.4p |
| TV (100W) | 1 hour | 2.6p |
Appliances with thermostats, such as fridges, ovens and heaters, don't draw full power all the time, so real-world use is often lower than the rated wattage suggests. Wattage figures are typical examples. Check your own appliance's rating plate.
Easy ways to cut costs
- Only boil the water you need in the kettle.
- Wash at 30°C and air-dry clothes when you can.
- Use an air fryer or microwave instead of the oven for small meals.
- If you're on a time-of-use tariff, such as Economy 7, run big appliances overnight.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to boil a kettle?
A 3,000W kettle uses about 0.09 kWh to boil a full kettle in around 2 minutes. At 26.32p per kWh that's about 2.4p, or roughly 1p for just one mug's worth of water.
How much does a tumble dryer cost to run?
A typical vented tumble dryer uses about 2.5 kWh per cycle, which is about 66p a cycle at 26.32p per kWh. A heat-pump dryer uses about half as much.
How do I find out how many watts my appliance uses?
Look on the rating plate or sticker, usually on the back or underneath, or in the manual. It will show a figure in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). 1 kW = 1,000 W.
What is the electricity price cap from October 2026?
From 1 October to 31 December 2026, the Ofgem price cap for a typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit is an average of 26.32p per kWh for electricity, plus a standing charge of 54.83p a day. There's no VAT on household electricity from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, and these figures reflect that. Your exact rate depends on your region and tariff.
What is a kWh?
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the unit your electricity is billed in. It's the energy used by a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour. A 100W TV uses 1 kWh in 10 hours.
Last checked 5 October 2026.