How Much Does It Cost to Run Common Appliances? UK Table
At 27p per kWh, a 2,000 W fan heater costs 54p an hour, and a kettle (3,000 W) costs 81p an hour but runs for only minutes a day. The table shows what common appliances cost to run, from the watts on their label. Your unit rate will differ, so use the last chart to scale the figures, or the calculator for an exact answer.
Cost per hour and per month
At 27p per kWh, for the appliance running at its full rated power for the typical time each day shown, over 30 days:
| Appliance | Typical watts | Typical use per day | Cost per hour | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LED light bulb | 8 W | 5 h | 0.2p | £0.32 |
| Broadband router | 10 W | 24 h | 0.3p | £1.94 |
| Laptop | 50 W | 6 h | 1.4p | £2.43 |
| 55-inch LED TV | 80 W | 4 h | 2.2p | £2.59 |
| Games console | 150 W | 3 h | 4.1p | £3.65 |
| Desktop computer | 200 W | 6 h | 5.4p | £9.72 |
| Slow cooker | 200 W | 8 h | 5.4p | £12.96 |
| Microwave oven | 900 W | 0.30 h | 24.3p | £2.19 |
| Air fryer | 1,500 W | 0.50 h | 40.5p | £6.08 |
| Hair dryer | 1,800 W | 0.20 h | 48.6p | £2.92 |
| Fan heater | 2,000 W | 4 h | 54.0p | £64.80 |
| Condenser tumble dryer | 2,500 W | 1 h | 67.5p | £24.30 |
| Kettle | 3,000 W | 0.25 h | 81.0p | £6.08 |
| Electric shower | 8,500 W | 0.30 h | £2.30 | £20.66 |
The wattages are typical running figures: check the label on yours. Many appliances use less than their label on average, because a thermostat or a motor cycles on and off. Enter your own watts, hours and rate into the electricity cost calculator.
What 1 kW costs at different unit rates
The cost of one kilowatt (1,000 W) running for different times, at each rate. To find the cost of any appliance, multiply by its kilowatts:
| Unit rate | One hour | One 30-day month at 1 h a day | One 30-day month, non-stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20p | 20p | £6.00 | £144.00 |
| 25p | 25p | £7.50 | £180.00 |
| 27p | 27p | £8.10 | £194.40 |
| 30p | 30p | £9.00 | £216.00 |
| 35p | 35p | £10.50 | £252.00 |
Where the money really goes
- Heating and hot water are the biggest costs in most homes, and electric heating is the most expensive way to heat per unit of heat unless you use a heat pump.
- Hot appliances (the tumble dryer, oven, kettle and electric shower) cost the most per hour, but only when they are running.
- Always-on devices (the router, a fridge-freezer and anything on standby) cost a little each but run all year. A 10 W router running all year uses about 88 kWh.
- Lighting costs very little with LED bulbs, often under £1 a year per bulb at a few hours a day.
Ways to cut the cost
- Measure before you guess. A plug-in energy monitor shows what a device really uses, including standby.
- Dry clothes on a rack or outside when you can, and run the tumble dryer with a full, well-spun load.
- Turn the thermostat down by 1 degree, and use a timer or a smart plug for a heater, rather than leaving it on.
- Check whether a time-of-use tariff, with cheap overnight power, suits the appliances you can run at night.
- Insulate: a draught-proofed home with a well-insulated loft needs far less heating. See the loft insulation guide for what to buy.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a fan heater?
A 2,000 W fan heater at full power costs 54p an hour at 27p per kWh, so £2.16 for four hours and £64.80 for a month of four-hour days. A thermostat that cycles lowers it.
How do I calculate the cost of electricity for an appliance?
Divide the watts by 1,000 to get kilowatts, multiply by the hours it runs to get kWh, then multiply by your price per kWh in pence and divide by 100.
How many kWh does a 1,000 watt appliance use?
One kWh for every hour it runs at full power: 24 kWh in a day of continuous use.
What is the unit rate for electricity in the UK?
It changes with the tariff and the date. Recently the standard rate has been around 25 to 30p per kWh. Check your latest bill, and use your own figure in the calculator.
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