Appliance running cost calculator

Select an appliance as a starting point, then replace its example power and schedule with information for your model. A refrigerator, gaming PC and kettle use electricity differently: an example is a scenario to explore, not a specification or a promise of typical consumption.

Formula

Annual electricity use = power in watts ÷ 1,000 × daily operating hours × annual operating days. Annual cost = annual kWh × your electricity unit rate. Monthly figures are annual totals divided by 12.

Worked example

A 100 W television running four hours every day uses 0.4 kWh on an operating day and 146 kWh in 365 days. Add standby separately if its off-hours consumption matters.

What the result means

Compare the result with a plug-in energy meter or the appliance’s energy label. For a refrigerator or freezer, a measured daily total is more informative than assuming its compressor operates continuously.

Electricity price · United Kingdom

£0.2611/kWh is Ofgem’s average capped electricity unit rate for standard variable tariffs paid by Direct Debit in England, Scotland and Wales, valid from 1 July to 30 September 2026. It includes 5% VAT and excludes the separate standing charge. It is not an average across all contracts and does not apply to Northern Ireland. Use your own tariff where available.

Last reviewed: 9 September 2026 · Ofgem · July–September 2026

Enter the unit rate including any applicable tax. Check your bill rather than adding a tax percentage automatically. Standing charges, export payments and subscription fees are separate. Ofgem information applies to Great Britain; Northern Ireland has its own regulator and market arrangements.

Assumptions and limits

Programme length, temperature, load, settings and thermostat cycling affect consumption. Rated power alone does not reveal the energy used by one washing or drying cycle.

Questions answered

Methodology · Report an error