UK appliance running costs
What it costs to run an air fryer, oven, kettle, microwave and slow cooker, based on the Ofgem energy price cap for 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026.
Tariff: 26.11p per kWh, 57.19p per day standing charge (England, Scotland & Wales average, Direct Debit). Source: ofgem.gov.uk.
From 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027 the government has removed VAT from electricity, so the cap unit rate has no VAT added. Before that the rate included 5% VAT. Source: ofgem.gov.uk.
Air fryer
A typical air fryer (1500W) used for 20 minutes, 1 time a day costs about 13.1p per use, 39.2p per hour of use, and £47.65 a year.
- 1500W nameplate rating used as an upper-bound ceiling -- the element cycles on/off, so real consumption is lower than this estimate.
- Estimated from rated power, not metered -- a nameplate estimate.
Electric oven
A typical electric oven (2500W) used for 45 minutes, 1 time a day costs about 49.0p per use, 65.3p per hour of use, and £178.69 a year.
- 2500W nameplate rating used as an upper-bound ceiling -- the element cycles on/off, so real consumption is lower than this estimate.
- Estimated from rated power, not metered -- a nameplate estimate.
Kettle
A typical kettle (3000W) used for boiling 1 litre, 2 times a day costs about 3.0p per use, 60.7p per hour of use, and £22.16 a year.
- 1L boiled from 15°C to 100°C.
- 85% thermal efficiency assumed (real kettles: 80-90%).
- Modelled from water mass and temperature rise, not metered -- an estimate.
Microwave
A typical microwave (800W) used for 5 minutes, 1 time a day costs about 2.3p per use, 27.2p per hour of use, and £8.26 a year.
- 800W is the advertised OUTPUT power; real INPUT draw assumed 1.3x (range 1.2x-1.4x) = ~1040W.
- Estimated from rated power, not metered -- a nameplate estimate.
Slow cooker
A typical slow cooker (150W) used for 6 hours, 3 times a week costs about 23.5p per use, 3.9p per hour of use, and £36.66 a year.
- 150W constant load assumed for the full 360 min.
- Estimated from rated power, not metered -- a nameplate estimate.
Work out your own appliance
Nameplate estimate, not a metered reading. Find the wattage on the appliance rating label or its spec sheet.
1500W for 20 min: 13.05p a use, about £47.65 a year if run 1 time a day.
These are nameplate estimates from rated power and the Ofgem price cap, not metered readings. Actual cost varies with the appliance model, insulation and how it's used. See our methodology for how we build figures like these.