How to use the appliance running cost calculator
- 1 Choose an appliance, or pick custom and enter its power in watts from the label.
- 2 Enter the hours a day you use it; 15 minutes is 0.25.
- 3 Enter how many days a week you use it.
- 4 Check the electricity price, then read the costs.
Worked example
A 3,000W kettle used for 15 minutes a day, every day, at 26.32p per kWh. It uses 3 kWh an hour, costing 79p an hour, so 15 minutes costs about 20p. Over a year that is 273 kWh and £71.85. A 2,500W tumble dryer used for an hour three times a week costs about £102.65 a year.
Using less electricity
- Boil only the water you need in the kettle.
- Dry clothes outside or use a heat pump dryer.
- Switch off standby at the wall.
- Run appliances off-peak on a time-of-use tariff.
See your whole bill with the Energy Bill Calculator, car charging with the EV Charging Cost Calculator, and other household costs with the Council Tax Calculator.
Features
Common appliances
Kettle, shower, tumble dryer, heater, oven, TV and more, with typical wattages.
Any appliance
Enter the wattage from the rating plate.
Every period
Cost per hour, day, week, month and year, and kWh used.
When to use it
Cutting energy bills
Find the appliances that cost the most. See your whole bill with the Energy Bill Calculator.
Heaters vs central heating
See what an electric heater costs an hour before turning it on.
Tumble dryer use
Compare drying costs over a week.
Electric cars
For charging costs, use the EV Charging Cost Calculator.
Related Home and Auto tasks
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out what an appliance costs to run?
Divide the wattage by 1,000 to get kilowatts, multiply by the hours used to get kWh, then multiply by your price per kWh. A 3,000W kettle uses 3 kWh an hour, so at 26.32p it costs 79p an hour, or about 20p for 15 minutes.
What is the current electricity price cap?
Ofgem's cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026 is 26.32p per kWh for electricity paid by Direct Debit, with no VAT on household energy in this period, plus a daily standing charge. The next cap starts on 1 January 2027.
How much does it cost to boil a kettle?
Boiling a full kettle takes about 3 to 4 minutes at 3,000W, around 0.2 kWh, so roughly 4p to 5p. Boiling only the water you need cuts the cost.
How much does an electric heater cost to run?
A 2,000W heater uses 2 kWh an hour, about 53p an hour at 26.32p per kWh, so four hours a day costs around £2.11.
How much does a tumble dryer cost per load?
A 2,500W dryer running for an hour costs about 66p at the price cap. Heat pump dryers use roughly half the energy.
Does the calculator include the standing charge?
No. The standing charge is a fixed daily cost you pay whatever you use, so it does not change with appliance use.
Why is my appliance's real cost lower?
Many appliances do not run at full power all the time. Fridges, ovens and washing machines cycle on and off, so their average power is lower than the label.
What does standby cost?
A device using 5W on standby all year uses about 44 kWh, around £11.50 at the price cap. Switching off at the wall saves this.
Where do I find the wattage?
On the rating plate or label, often on the back or underneath, or in the manual. Look for W or kW.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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