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Appliance running costs
How much does it cost to run a heater, tumble dryer or piece of business equipment? Enter its power rating, how long it runs and your electricity unit rate.
60 kWh over 30 days · about £0.53 a day
How it works
Energy used (kWh) = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours per day × days.
Cost = energy used × your unit rate in pence ÷ 100.
The rate starts at your region’s price-cap electricity unit rate, including VAT. Standing charges are excluded because they do not depend on how long an appliance runs.
Questions
Where do I find an appliance’s wattage?
Look on the rating plate (often on the back or underside), the plug or charger label, or the manual. If it lists kilowatts, multiply by 1,000 to get watts.
Is the result exact?
It is an upper estimate. The calculator assumes the appliance draws its full rated power the whole time it runs. Fridges, ovens, heaters and washing machines switch elements on and off, so they often use less.
Does it include the standing charge?
No. The standing charge is paid daily whether or not the appliance runs, so it is left out of the running cost.
What rate should I use on a time-of-use tariff?
Use the unit rate that applies when the appliance runs. If it runs across peak and off-peak periods, work out each part separately.