See what any appliance costs to run per hour, day, week, month and year.
Default unit price is the Ofgem price cap rate for 1 October to 31 December 2026 (direct debit). Preset wattages are typical figures, so check your appliance label for the exact rating.
Year is 52 weeks of your usage pattern and month is the yearly figure divided by 12. Standing charges are not included.
Want to know what your kettle, heater or tumble dryer really costs to run? This electricity cost calculator works out the running cost of any appliance per hour, day, week, month and year from its wattage and how long you use it. It starts with the current Ofgem energy price cap unit rate of 26.32p per kWh, and you can change it to match your own tariff in pounds, euros or dollars.
What Is an Electricity Cost Calculator?
An electricity cost calculator, sometimes called an appliance running cost calculator, turns the power rating of a device into money. Every appliance lists its power in watts on the rating plate or in the manual. Suppliers bill you in kilowatt hours (kWh), and one kWh is 1,000 watts used for one hour.
The formula is: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours used × unit price = cost. A 2,000W heater running for 3 hours uses 6 kWh. At 26.32p per kWh that costs £1.58 a day, or about £575 a year if you use it every day.
How to Use the Electricity Cost Calculator
Step 1: Choose an Appliance
Pick an appliance from the list to load a typical wattage and usage pattern. The presets are averages, so choose Custom or type over the watts if you know the exact rating of your device.
Step 2: Enter the Watts and Hours
Check the label on the back or base of the appliance for its power in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). One kW is 1,000W. Then enter how many hours a day it runs. Use decimals for short bursts: 0.25 is 15 minutes and 0.5 is half an hour.
Step 3: Set the Days and Unit Price
Enter how many days a week you use the appliance and the unit rate from your bill. The default is the UK price cap rate for October to December 2026, and if you already know the kWh figure from a smart meter, the kWh cost calculator turns it straight into pounds. Choose £, € or $ to show the symbol you use; the maths stays the same.
Step 4: Read the Running Costs
Results update as you type, showing the cost per hour, per day of use, per week, per month and per year, plus the energy used in kWh. To add standing charges and see a whole household bill, use the energy bill calculator alongside these appliance figures. The yearly figure is 52 weeks of your pattern, and the monthly figure is that total divided by 12.
Typical Appliance Running Costs
These examples use a unit rate of 26.32p per kWh and the same usage patterns as the calculator presets.
| Appliance | Power | Typical use | Cost per hour | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3,000W | 12 minutes a day | 79.0p | £57.48 |
| Electric heater | 2,000W | 3 hours a day | 52.6p | £574.83 |
| Tumble dryer | 2,500W | 1 hour, 3 days a week | 65.8p | £102.65 |
| Gaming PC | 400W | 3 hours a day | 10.5p | £114.97 |
| Fridge freezer | 40W average | 24 hours a day | 1.1p | £91.97 |
| TV | 100W | 4 hours a day | 2.6p | £38.32 |
Appliances that make heat, such as heaters, dryers and ovens, cost the most because they draw a lot of power. Low wattage devices that run all day, like a fridge freezer, also add up over a year. The Energy Saving Trust has practical advice on cutting these costs, such as only boiling the water you need and drying clothes outdoors when you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the cost of running an appliance?
Divide the wattage by 1,000 to get kW, multiply by the hours used to get kWh, then multiply by your unit price. A 3,000W kettle used for 12 minutes uses 0.6 kWh, which costs about 15.8p at 26.32p per kWh.
How much does 1 kWh of electricity cost in the UK?
Under the Ofgem price cap from 1 October to 31 December 2026, electricity costs 26.32p per kWh on direct debit, plus a standing charge of 54.83p a day. Your own tariff may differ.
Where do I find the wattage of an appliance?
Look for the rating plate or sticker on the back, base or inside the door, or check the manual. It shows the power in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW).
Does the calculator include the standing charge?
No. The standing charge is a fixed daily fee you pay whatever you use, so it is left out of appliance running costs.
Why does my fridge freezer use less than its rated wattage?
The compressor switches on and off to keep the temperature steady, so the average draw over a day is much lower than its peak rating.
Can I use this calculator outside the UK?
Yes. Choose € or $ to change the symbol and enter your local unit price per kWh in cents. The formula works the same in any currency.