Bills & Utilities
Appliance Running Cost Calculator
Turn an appliance power rating and your electricity unit rate into per-use, daily, monthly, and annual running cost estimates.
Your details
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Your result
Based on the values you enter
Ofgem GB Direct Debit rate examples: 1 October to 31 December 2026; checked 14 October. Gas includes 5% VAT; electricity has no VAT for this period. Enter your own bill rates; no extra VAT is added. Comparison quotes and usage are illustrative.
Useful next checks
- Check the inputs before relying on the result.
- Try a second scenario to compare outcomes.
- Read the guide below for context.
# Appliance Running Cost Calculator
Work out how much an appliance costs to run from its power rating, run time, frequency, and electricity unit rate.
What this calculator does
Enter watts or kilowatts, how long the appliance runs, how often it runs, and the pence per kWh from your bill. The calculator estimates cost per use, per day, per month, and per year.
How it works
The energy formula is:
`power in kW x hours used = kWh`
The cost formula is:
`kWh x unit rate in pence / 100`
For appliances with cycles, such as washing machines or ovens, the power rating may not be constant for the whole cycle. A plug-in energy monitor can give a better reading for those.
Example calculation
A 2,000 W heater running for 2 hours uses `2 kW × 2 hours = 4 kWh`. At 26.32p/kWh, one use costs `4 × 26.32 / 100 = £1.0528`, displayed as £1.05 per use. One such use every day gives £384.27 per year at an unchanged rate. Standing charges are excluded.
How to use the result
Use this to compare appliances, estimate the cost of longer run times, or translate a tariff change into everyday examples. It is especially useful for heaters, tumble dryers, dehumidifiers, EV chargers, and always-on devices.
Assumptions and limitations
The calculator assumes the entered power is the average power during use. Real appliances may cycle on and off, vary by setting, or draw standby power separately.
Default rates and sources
Rate examples were checked on 14 October 2026 against Ofgem unit rates and standing charges for 1 October to 31 December 2026. They are Great Britain averages for Direct Debit, not Northern Ireland rates or a quote for every household. Regional, payment-method, meter and tariff differences matter; use your supplier's applicable rates.
Ofgem states that gas figures include 5% VAT, while electricity has no VAT from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Enter bill rates with any applicable VAT included: the calculator does not add VAT again. This VAT difference also means costs across the affected periods are not directly comparable. Bills crossing a rate-change date should be calculated separately for each part using its own usage, days and rates.
These examples expire after 31 December 2026; they are not a future tariff forecast. Annualised results assume the entered rates stay constant. Usage amounts and comparison offers are editable illustrations, not current official consumption benchmarks or live supplier offers.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find the wattage?
Check the appliance label, manual, plug, power supply, or manufacturer specification. Some devices show kW instead of watts.
What is a kWh?
A kilowatt-hour is the energy used by a 1 kW device running for 1 hour.
Should I include standing charge?
No. This calculator estimates marginal appliance running cost. Use the UK energy bill calculator when you want the full bill including standing charges.
Does this include standing charge?
No. It estimates the marginal cost of running one appliance. Use the energy bill calculator for full bills.
Why might my appliance cost differ?
Many appliances cycle power up and down, so the nameplate wattage may not be the average draw.