Free Appliance Running Cost Calculator UK

How Much Does It Cost to Run an Electrical Appliance?

The cost of running an electrical appliance depends on three main factors:

1. Power consumption: How many watts the appliance uses.

2. Usage time: How long the appliance operates.

3. Electricity price: The amount you pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

An appliance with a higher power rating generally uses more electricity per hour when operating at its rated power.

However, the length of time it operates is equally important.

For example, a powerful kettle may only run for a few minutes, whereas a lower-powered television may operate for several hours.

How to Use Our Appliance Running Cost Calculator

Step 1: Choose Your Appliance

Select an appliance from the list or enter your own power rating.

The Appliance Running Cost Calculator includes example wattages for common household appliances, but the actual power rating should be checked on your appliance.

Step 2: Enter the Appliance Wattage

Find the wattage on the appliance rating label, instruction manual or manufacturer’s website.

The wattage tells you the rate at which the appliance uses electrical power.

Step 3: Enter Your Electricity Unit Rate

Check your electricity bill or online energy account for the price you pay per kWh.

Enter this in pence in the Appliance Running Cost Calculator.

For example, if your electricity unit rate is 25p per kWh, enter 25.

This is an illustrative example, not a statement of the current UK electricity price.

Step 4: Enter Your Daily Usage

Enter how many hours and minutes you use the appliance on a typical day.

For example, if you use an electric heater for one hour and 30 minutes, enter one hour and 30 minutes.

Step 5: Select Days Per Week

Choose how many days each week you typically use the appliance.

This allows the Appliance Running Cost Calculator to estimate weekly, monthly and annual running costs.

Step 6: Calculate Your Costs

Click Calculate Running Costs.

Your estimated costs and electricity consumption will appear immediately in the Appliance Running Cost Calculator.

Appliance Electricity Cost Formula

Our Appliance Running Cost Calculator uses the standard formula for estimating electricity consumption.

Electricity Used (kWh) = Appliance Power (W) ÷ 1,000 × Hours Used

The electricity cost is then calculated using:

Electricity Cost (£) = Electricity Used (kWh) × Unit Rate (£/kWh)

Worked Example: A 2,000-Watt Electric Heater

Suppose an electric heater has a power rating of 2,000 watts.

You use it for two hours, and your electricity unit rate is 25p per kWh.

First, convert watts into kilowatts:

2,000 ÷ 1,000 = 2 kW

Calculate electricity consumption:

2 × 2 = 4 kWh

Calculate the electricity cost:

4 × £0.25 = £1.00

The estimated cost is £1 for two hours of continuous operation at 2,000 watts.

If the heater has a thermostat and cycles off during use, actual electricity consumption may be lower.

Electrical Appliance Running Cost Chart

The following table shows illustrative electricity costs for different appliance power ratings.

All figures assume continuous operation at the stated wattage and an example electricity unit rate of 25p/kWh.

Important: These figures are mathematical examples, not typical measured hourly costs for each appliance. Refrigerators, ovens, kettles and other appliances often cycle or operate for only part of an hour.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Kettle?

Electric kettles often have relatively high power ratings, but they usually operate for only a few minutes at a time.

For example, a 3,000 W kettle running for three minutes at 25p/kWh would use:

3 × (3 ÷ 60) = 0.15 kWh

Estimated electricity cost:

0.15 × £0.25 = 3.75p

Actual energy use depends on the kettle, water quantity, starting temperature and boiling time.

How Much Does It Cost to Run an Air Fryer?

Air fryer running costs depend on the appliance’s power consumption, cooking duration and how its heating element operates.

For example, a 1,500 W air fryer running continuously at full power for 30 minutes would use:

1.5 × 0.5 = 0.75 kWh

At 25p/kWh, the estimated cost is approximately 18.75p.

Actual consumption may be lower if the heating element cycles during cooking.

Air fryers and conventional ovens should ideally be compared using energy consumption for the same cooking task rather than wattage alone.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Tumble Dryer?

Tumble dryer electricity consumption varies considerably between models.

Heat pump tumble dryers, condenser dryers and vented dryers can have different energy requirements.

The energy consumption per drying cycle is often a more useful comparison than rated wattage.

For example, if a dryer uses 2.5 kWh for one cycle and electricity costs 25p/kWh:

2.5 × £0.25 = 62.5p per cycle

Check the manufacturer’s energy information or measured electricity consumption for a more relevant estimate.

How Much Does It Cost to Run an Electric Heater?

Electric heaters can be significant electricity users when operated for extended periods.

For a heater drawing 2,000 W continuously, at an illustrative 25p/kWh:

Actual costs may differ when thermostats, timers or variable power settings are used.