APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does an electric oven cost to run?
An oven’s energy label gives the electricity it uses for one standard cooking cycle, which is a fairer guide than its maximum power rating. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, an electric oven costs about 21p per use.
PER USE
21p0.79 kWhPER WEEK
£1.045 uses a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£54206 kWh at the assumed useWork out your own cost
Choose your region or type in your own unit rate, then change the energy per use and number of uses to match your appliance and how you use it. It starts with a week at our assumed use.
4 kWh over 5 uses · about £0.21 per use
How much electricity it uses
- Energy labels for single ovens on sale in the UK show about 0.69 to 0.79 kWh per cycle in fan mode, for example the Bosch HQA534BS3B (0.69 kWh) and Indesit IO 253 X (0.79 kWh).
- Conventional (non-fan) mode uses more: 0.94 kWh on the Bosch and 1.05 kWh on the Samsung NV7B4430ZAB.
- The same Bosch oven has a 2,800 W connection rating. It only draws that while heating up; the thermostat then cycles the elements.
| Example | Energy per use | Per use | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | 0.69 kWh | 18p | £47 |
| Typical | 0.79 kWh | 21p | £54 |
| Higher | 1.05 kWh | 28p | £72 |
Usage assumption: Five uses a week, each counted as one energy-label cycle of about an hour. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Temperature and cooking time: the label cycle is a standard test, and long roasts or high temperatures use more.
- Fan or conventional mode: fan mode uses less on the labels above.
- Preheating and opening the door, which let heat escape.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric oven | 1 use | 0.79 kWh | 21p |
| Air fryer | 1 meal, 20 minutes | 0.58 kWh | 15p |
| Microwave | 1 use, 5 minutes | 0.11 kWh | 2.8p |
| Slow cooker | 1 meal, 8 hours | 1.28 kWh | 34p |
Ways to spend less
- The Energy Saving Trust suggests batch cooking in a full oven and reheating portions in the microwave.
- It also advises opening the oven door only when necessary, and boiling potatoes on the hob before roasting to shorten oven time.
Unit rates vary by region: this period they run from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. See every region’s rate →
Questions
How much does an electric oven cost per use?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), 0.79 kWh per use costs about 21p. Across the figures we cite (0.69 to 1.05 kWh) that is 18p to 28p.
How much does an electric oven cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is five uses a week, each counted as one energy-label cycle of about an hour. At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £54 a year (206 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
What does ‘energy per cycle’ on an oven label mean?
It is the electricity used in a standard laboratory test that heats a set load in the oven. It lets you compare ovens fairly; your own cooking may use more or less.
Does the cost depend on where I live?
Yes, a little. Price-cap electricity unit rates for October–December 2026 range from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Pick your region in the calculator, or enter the unit rate from your bill if you are on a fixed or time-of-use tariff.
About these figures
Running costs are energy used × unit rate. They exclude the daily standing charge, which you pay whether or not the appliance runs. Energy per use comes from energy label or product data measured on a standard test programme; other programmes use more or less. Power ratings and energy figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
Other appliances
Sources
- EPREL product fiche: Bosch HQA534BS3B oven ↗0.94 kWh per cycle conventional, 0.69 kWh fan-forced, 71 litres, class A+.
- EPREL product fiche: Indesit IO 253 X UK oven ↗0.79 kWh per cycle fan-forced, 66 litres.
- EPREL product fiche: Samsung NV7B4430ZAB oven ↗1.05 kWh per cycle conventional, 0.71 kWh fan-forced, 76 litres.
- Bosch HQA534BS3B specification sheet (PDF) ↗2,800 W connection rating.
- Energy Saving Trust: air fryer vs oven, which cooking appliance is cheaper to run? ↗Cooking tips for ovens, hobs, air fryers, microwaves and slow cookers.
- Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average electricity unit rate and VAT basis, October–December 2026.
Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →