Appliance Running Cost Calculator UK
Find out how much any household appliance costs to run with our free appliance running cost calculator. Enter the wattage, how long you use the appliance per session and how many times per week you use it. The calculator instantly shows you the cost per use, daily, weekly, monthly and annual running costs at the current Ofgem electricity rate of 24.5p per kWh.
From tumble dryers and dishwashers to gaming consoles and hair dryers, every appliance adds to your electricity bill. Knowing the true running cost of each device helps you make smarter choices about when and how often to use them. You might be surprised to learn that a slow cooker running for 8 hours uses less electricity than an oven running for 1 hour. Use this calculator to compare different appliances and find where your money is really going each month.
What Affects the Running Cost of an Appliance?
Three main factors determine how much an appliance costs to run: its wattage (power rating), how long it runs for and the electricity unit rate you pay. A higher-wattage appliance consumes more energy per hour, but a lower-wattage device used for longer periods can end up costing more overall. The energy rating label on newer appliances shows estimated annual consumption in kWh, which you can multiply by your unit rate for a quick cost estimate.
Modern A-rated appliances use significantly less energy than older models. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that upgrading an old fridge-freezer to an A-rated model could save around £65 per year. You can find detailed guidance on appliance efficiency on the Ofgem consumer information page.
Most and Least Expensive Appliances to Run
Electric heaters, immersion heaters and tumble dryers consistently top the list of most expensive appliances due to their high wattage and extended use. A 3kW fan heater running for 4 hours a day costs around £2.94 per day at current rates. At the other end of the scale, LED light bulbs, phone chargers and modern televisions cost just pennies per day to operate.
To see how much you could save by switching from a traditional dryer to a heat pump model, try our tumble dryer cost calculator. For a complete picture of your electricity spending, use the electricity cost calculator to total up all your devices.
How to Find an Appliance's Wattage
Check the label or sticker on the back or underside of the appliance for its rated wattage. If the label shows amps instead, multiply amps by 230 (UK mains voltage) to get an approximate wattage. For variable-power appliances like washing machines, the rated wattage is the peak draw and actual average consumption will be lower. Plug-in energy monitors, available for under £20, can measure real-time consumption for a more precise figure.
Divide the wattage by 1,000 to get kilowatts, multiply by the hours of use to get kWh, then multiply by your electricity unit rate in pence. For example, a 2,000W heater running for 2 hours at 24.5p/kWh costs: (2,000 ÷ 1,000) × 2 × 24.5p = 98p (£0.98) per use.
Electric heaters, tumble dryers and immersion heaters tend to be the most expensive appliances to run because of their high wattage and long running times. A 2,500W tumble dryer running for 2 hours costs around £1.23 per cycle.
A modern LED TV typically uses around 100W. Running it for 8 hours a day at 24.5p/kWh costs about 19.6p per day, which works out to roughly £1.37 per week or £71.54 per year.
Not necessarily. The rated wattage is the maximum power draw. Many appliances like washing machines and dishwashers cycle between different power levels during operation.
Use appliances at off-peak times if you are on a time-of-use tariff. Run washing machines at 30°C. Avoid overfilling the kettle. Use a microwave instead of an oven for small meals. Switch off standby devices at the wall. Consider upgrading old appliances to energy-efficient models.
This calculator provides estimates for guidance only. Results are based on the figures you enter. This is not financial, legal or professional advice. Actual costs may vary depending on your tariff, appliance model and usage patterns. For information on energy tariffs, visit Ofgem.