Appliance Running Cost Calculator
Find out what your heater, tumble dryer, kettle or any other appliance really costs to run, per use and per year.
| Appliance | Typical use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Electric heater, 2kW | 1 hour | 52.6p |
| Vented tumble dryer, 2.5kW | 1 hour cycle | 65.8p |
| Electric shower, 9kW | 8 minutes | 31.6p |
| Electric oven, 2kW | 1 hour | 52.6p |
| Air fryer, 1.5kW | 20 minutes | 13.2p |
| Kettle, 3kW | 3 minutes | 3.9p |
| Fridge-freezer | A whole year | about £92 |
Heating costs dominate. A 2kW heater used 4 hours a day through a 5-month winter costs about £315. At these rates electricity costs roughly three times as much as gas for each unit of heat, so with gas central heating an electric heater only saves money if it lets you leave the heating off in the rest of the house.
How do I work out how much an appliance costs to run?
Multiply the power in kilowatts by the hours it runs to get kilowatt hours (kWh), then multiply by your unit rate. A 2,000 watt heater is 2kW, so an hour uses 2kWh. At 26.32p per kWh that costs about 53p an hour.
What is the electricity price cap unit rate?
From 1 October to 31 December 2026 the average price cap rate for electricity paid by Direct Debit is 26.32p per kWh, with a daily standing charge of 54.83p. Rates vary by region and payment method, and many fixed tariffs are different.
Which appliances cost the most to run?
Anything that heats, such as electric heaters, tumble dryers, electric showers, ovens and immersion heaters. Appliances that run all day, like fridges and freezers, also add up over a year even though their power is low.
Is an air fryer cheaper than an oven?
Usually, for small amounts of food. An air fryer draws less power and cooks faster, so it tends to use less energy per meal. For a full oven of food the difference narrows.
Source: Ofgem: price cap unit rates and standing charges. Costs exclude the daily standing charge, which you pay whatever you use.
| Electricity | 26.32p/kWh |
| Standing charge | 54.83p/day |
| Gas | 7.97p/kWh |
| Gas standing charge | 29.68p/day |
Direct Debit averages across England, Scotland and Wales.