Appliance running cost calculator (UK)
Work out what an electrical appliance costs to run in a UK home. Pick an appliance, adjust the figures to match your model, and see the cost per use, week, month and year.
The calculator starts at the current electricity price cap of 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem price cap, Direct Debit, 1 October to 31 December 2026). Change the rate if your tariff is different.
Default rate: 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem price cap, Direct Debit, 1 October to 31 December 2026). Starting figures are typical values, not your model: check the rating plate or energy label and change them. Appliances with a thermostat (ovens, heaters) cycle on and off, so running at full rated power is an upper estimate. Standing charges are not included.
Where to find your appliance’s power
- Rating plate: a sticker or plate on the back or underside, showing watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). 1 kW = 1,000 W.
- Energy label: tumble dryers, washing machines and fridges list energy use per cycle or per year in kWh. Use the “kWh per use” field for these.
- Manual or retailer listing: search the model number.
- Smart plug: a plug with energy monitoring shows the actual kWh used, which is often less than the rated power suggests.
How the sum works
Cost per use = power (kW) × hours × unit rate. For example, a 1,500 W air fryer used for 30 minutes uses 0.75 kWh, which costs 19.7p at the current cap rate.
Thermostat-controlled appliances (ovens, heaters, irons) cycle on and off, so full rated power is an upper estimate. Standing charges are not included, because you pay them anyway. Read more in how we work out running costs.
Common questions
Is the rate up to date?
We update the default rate when Ofgem’s quarterly price cap changes. The rate in use is shown above the calculator.
Why is my bill different?
Your tariff, standing charge and how you actually use the appliance all change the result. Use your own unit rate from your bill or app for the closest figure.
Does it work for gas appliances?
No. It is for electrical appliances only.
