Electricity Cost Calculator (per appliance)

Electricity costs for individual appliances can be calculated using the formula: kWh = (watts x hours used per day) / 1,000. Multiply the kWh by your unit rate to get the daily cost. The average UK electricity unit rate under the Ofgem price cap is approximately 24.5p per kWh, plus a daily standing charge of around 61.64p.

Common household appliances vary dramatically in running costs. A tumble dryer (2,500W) costs about 61p per hour, an electric oven (2,000W) about 49p per hour, a washing machine (500W average) about 12p per cycle, while an LED light bulb (10W) costs just 0.25p per hour. Always check the wattage on the appliance's rating plate.

This calculator lets you enter any appliance by wattage and usage pattern. It shows the daily, weekly, monthly and annual running cost. You can compare multiple appliances to identify the biggest energy consumers in your home and see where switching to more efficient models would save the most money.

UK electricity prices and standing charges 2026. Ofgem Price Cap unit rate: ~24-28p/kWh (variable by season and quarter). Standing charge: 50-65p/day (£182-£237/year per fuel). Fixed tariffs available: typically 1-3p/kWh below Price Cap, longer-term certainty. Smart meter tariffs: time-of-use available (Octopus Agile, Tracker, Cosy) — off-peak 5-15p/kWh, peak 30-60p. Average UK household electricity: 2,700-3,500 kWh/year = £650-£1,000 + standing charge.

Cost per device per hour — common UK appliances. Kettle 3kW for 3 min: ~4p. Oven 2.5kW for 1 hour: 65p. Tumble dryer 3kW for 1 hour: 75p. Washing machine 1.2kW for 1.5 hour: 45p. TV 100W for 4 hours: 10p. Laptop 60W for 8 hours: 12p. LED bulb 10W for 4 hours: 1p. Fridge-freezer (energy-efficient): £40-£70/year. Electric shower 9kW for 8 minutes: 30p. Heat pump 3kW running for 12 hours/day in winter: £8.40/day.

Time-of-use tariffs — saving 30%+. Octopus Agile: half-hourly variable price tracking wholesale market — typically 10-25p/kWh, occasionally negative pricing! Octopus Tracker: daily rate, tracks wholesale energy. Octopus Cosy (heat pumps): 12-15p peak, 3-7p off-peak. Economy 7: legacy off-peak 11pm-6am for storage heaters. Best for: EV charging (charge overnight at 7-10p vs daytime 30p), heat pumps with thermal storage, scheduled appliance use (dishwasher, washing machine). Need: smart meter, programmable appliances.

Standing charge controversy. Standing charges have doubled 2020-2025: average 25p/day to 60p/day. Charged regardless of usage. Concerns: penalises low users (small households, pensioners), gives no incentive to reduce usage. Ofgem reviewing: 'zero standing charge' tariffs becoming available (Utilita, OVO trial 2024) — but unit rate higher to compensate. Best for: holiday homes, low-use households. Worst for: heavy users (you'll pay more per kWh). Compare via Energy Helpline, MoneySavingExpert Cheap Energy Club.

Cutting electricity costs — proven tactics. LED bulbs (10W replaces 60W incandescent): saves £8-£15/bulb/year heavy use. Energy-efficient appliances (A-rated): £30-£100/year saving over 10-15 years vs D-rated. Smart thermostat (Nest, Hive): £50-£150/year heating saving. Unplug standby devices: ~5-10% of household bill (Energy Saving Trust). Insulation (loft 270mm, cavity wall): biggest impact — £200-£500/year savings. Solar panels (3.5kW system £6-£8k): generates 3,000-3,500 kWh/year, saves £400-£700 + SEG export payments £80-£200/year.