Energy cost calculator

Find out how much it costs to run common household appliances and compare them against each other.

Amy Smith
Amy Smith
Updated 3 November 2022  | 2 mins read

Ever wondered whether it’s cheaper to run a gas or electric oven? Or how about an electric blanket for 3 hours versus turning the heating on for 30 minutes? Well now you can find out.

To see how much something costs to run, use the calculator below to pick the appliances you want to compare and select how long they’ll be in use for.

Select an appliance to compare

Estimated cost for 22 Hours 48 Minutes/Day: £11.63

Drag the sliders to adjust the duration you'll run the appliance

48 Minutes
22 Hours

Select an appliance to compare

Estimated cost for 12 Hours 21 Minutes/Day: £6.30

Drag the sliders to adjust the duration you'll run the appliance

21 Minutes
12 Hours

Power consumption figures sourced from https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/advice-and-support/how-much-electricity-am-i-using

Average per kWh cost of £0.30 for electricity and £0.08 for Gas as detailed at https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/customers-pay-less-energy-bills-summer

*Estimated comparisons based on appliance wattages listed by Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE). Energy prices are based on the energy price guarantee unit rate of 30p/kWh and aren't specific to your household’s energy tariff, usage or region.

Why have energy prices gone up?

It’s gotten more expensive for providers to buy energy, which has led to it costing more for us to power our homes and businesses.

How can I reduce how much energy I use?

You can cut back on your energy usage by turning appliances off standby, lowering the temperature of your heating and washing machine, as well as being careful about how much water you use.

Slow cookers, water efficient showerheads, LED lights, loft insulation and smart thermostats can also help you lower your energy usage, but they might require some investment first.

Which appliances use the most energy?

Your boiler and shower will likely use the most energy, followed by large appliances like the washing machine and tumble dryer.

What can I do if I'm struggling to pay my energy bills?

If you’re struggling to pay for your energy, get in touch with your supplier to find out how they can help.

The government has an Energy Bills Support Scheme and a few other grants that could help you. Debt charity Turn2us has an online benefits entitlement calculator to help you figure out what support you can get with your energy bills.

If you need advice, you can chat to MoneyHelper (formerly the Money Advice Service), National Debtline or StepChange Debt Charity.