Electricity Cost Calculator
Calculate the running cost of any appliance. Enter wattage, usage hours, and electricity rate.
Understanding Your Electricity Bill
Your electricity bill boils down to one thing: kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh is the energy used when a 1,000-watt appliance runs for one hour. A 100-watt bulb running for 10 hours? That's 1 kWh. A 2,000-watt heater running for 30 minutes? Also 1 kWh.
The average UK household uses about 2,700 kWh per year. At the current price cap rate of around 24.5p per kWh, that's roughly £660 per year on electricity alone. But averages hide the real story — your usage depends on the appliances you run and how long you run them.
This calculator lets you work out exactly what each appliance costs to run. Once you know the numbers, you can spot the energy hogs and make changes that actually show up on your bill.
Common Appliance Running Costs
| Appliance | Typical Wattage | Daily Use | Daily Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric heater (fan) | 2,000W | 4 hrs | £1.96 | £715 (winter) |
| Electric oven | 2,100W | 1 hr | £0.51 | £187 |
| Washing machine | 500W | 1 cycle | £0.12 | £44 |
| Tumble dryer | 2,500W | 1 cycle | £0.61 | £223 |
| Fridge-freezer | 150W | 24 hrs | £0.88 | £322 |
| LED TV (55") | 80W | 4 hrs | £0.08 | £29 |
| Laptop | 50W | 8 hrs | £0.10 | £36 |
| LED bulb | 10W | 5 hrs | £0.01 | £4.50 |
| Kettle | 3,000W | 10 min | £0.12 | £44 |
| Dishwasher | 1,800W | 1 cycle | £0.44 | £161 |
What this means for you: Heating is by far the biggest energy cost — a single electric heater can cost more than your fridge, TV, laptop, and all your lights combined. If you're on electric heating, consider whether a heat pump or insulation upgrades would pay for themselves.
UK Energy Price Cap Timeline
| Quarter | Electricity (p/kWh) | Gas (p/kWh) | Typical Annual Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2022 | 28.3p | 7.4p | £1,971 |
| Q4 2022 | 34.0p | 10.3p | £2,500 (EPG) |
| Q1 2024 | 29.0p | 7.4p | £1,928 |
| Q3 2024 | 24.5p | 6.2p | £1,568 |
| Q1 2026 | 24.5p | 6.8p | £1,620 |
What this means for you: Rates have come down from the 2022-23 crisis peak but remain higher than pre-2021 levels. The price cap sets maximum unit rates — your actual rate may differ depending on your tariff, region, and meter type.
Quick Wins to Cut Electricity Costs
Switch to LED bulbs
Replacing 10 halogen bulbs (50W each) with LEDs (7W each) saves £75/year. LEDs last 15,000-25,000 hours vs 2,000 for halogens. It's the easiest energy win.
Air-dry clothes when possible
A tumble dryer costs £0.60+ per cycle. Running it 5 times a week costs £156/year. A clothes airer costs nothing to run. Even halving dryer use saves £80/year.
Use economy cycles
Washing at 30°C instead of 40°C uses 40% less energy. Eco dishwasher cycles use less water and electricity. These settings exist for a reason — use them.
Kill standby power
Appliances on standby cost the average UK household £50-£80/year. Use smart plugs or switch things off at the wall. TVs, games consoles, and phone chargers are the worst offenders.
Biggest Electricity Drains in a UK Home
| Appliance | Typical Wattage | Daily Use | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric shower | 8,500W | 10 mins | £150-£180 |
| Tumble dryer | 2,500W | 1 hour, 3x/week | £100-£120 |
| Oven | 2,000W | 1 hour | £85-£100 |
| Kettle | 3,000W | 15 mins (5 boils) | £45-£55 |
| Fridge-freezer | 150W (average) | 24 hours | £60-£80 |
| TV (55" LED) | 80W | 4 hours | £30-£40 |
| Laptop | 50W | 8 hours | £35-£45 |
Based on average UK electricity price of ~24p/kWh. The biggest surprise for most people: electric showers are by far the most expensive appliance per minute. Shortening your shower by 2 minutes saves roughly £30-40 a year.
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Common uses
- Calculating the running cost of any household appliance
- Comparing energy costs between different appliances
- Working out whether upgrading to energy-efficient models saves money
- Estimating monthly and yearly electricity bills
- Checking if solar panels or battery storage would pay for themselves
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