APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does an electric shower cost to run?
An electric shower heats water as it flows and is one of the most powerful appliances in a home, so shower length matters a lot. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, an electric shower costs about £2.50 an hour at full power, or 31p for a typical 7.5-minute shower.
PER HOUR
£2.50at 9,500 W, full powerPER SHOWER
31p1.19 kWh over 7.5 minutesPER WEEK
£1.384.4 showers a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£72272 kWh at the assumed useWork out your own cost
Choose your region or type in your own unit rate, then change the wattage and hours to match your appliance and how you use it. It starts with a week at our assumed use, averaged to hours a day.
5.3 kWh over 7 days · about £0.20 a day
How much electricity it uses
- Electric showers are usually rated between 7.5 kW and 10.8 kW: Mira’s Jump range comes in 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.8 kW, and Triton’s T80 Easi Fit Plus in 7.5 to 10.5 kW.
- Triton says a 10.5 kW shower can give 50% more flow than a 7.5 kW one. Higher ratings mean more hot water per minute, not hotter water.
- People reported spending seven and a half minutes in the shower on average, and taking 4.4 showers a week each, in the Energy Saving Trust’s At Home with Water study (2013).
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per shower | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | 7,500 W | £1.97 | 25p | £57 |
| Typical | 9,500 W | £2.50 | 31p | £72 |
| Higher | 10,800 W | £2.84 | 36p | £82 |
Usage assumption: One person’s showers: 4.4 a week of 7.5 minutes each, the averages reported in the Energy Saving Trust’s At Home with Water study (2013). This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Shower length: cost rises minute by minute.
- Power rating and temperature setting.
- Number of people showering.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric shower | 1 shower, 7.5 minutes | 1.19 kWh | 31p |
| Immersion heater | 1 day, 1 hour | 3.00 kWh | 79p |
| Kettle | 1 boil, 2 minutes | 0.10 kWh | 2.6p |
Ways to spend less
- The Energy Saving Trust says keeping your shower to four minutes could save about £45 a year in Great Britain.
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 shower cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), an electric shower rated at 9,500 W costs about £2.50 an hour at full power. Models from 7,500 W to 10,800 W cost £1.97 to £2.84 an hour.
How much does an electric shower cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is one person’s showers: 4.4 a week of 7.5 minutes each, the averages reported in the Energy Saving Trust’s At Home with Water study (2013). At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £72 a year (272 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
How much does a 10-minute electric shower cost?
At 9.5 kW, ten minutes uses about 1.6 kWh. Multiply by your unit rate in pence and divide by 100 to get the cost, or change the minutes in the calculator.
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. Costs per hour assume the appliance draws its full rated power the whole time; many appliances cycle on and off, so real use is often lower. Power ratings and energy figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
Other appliances
Sources
- Mira Showers: the different types of electric showers ↗Mira Jump Multi-Fit in 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.8 kW ratings.
- Mira Sport Max 10.8 kW electric shower ↗10.8 kW.
- Triton T80 Easi Fit Plus electric shower ↗7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 kW ratings; higher ratings give more flow.
- Energy Saving Trust: At Home with Water (2013, PDF) ↗Average shower length (7.5 minutes) and showers per person per week (4.4), self-reported.
- Energy Saving Trust: top tips to save energy and money in the bathroom ↗Shower-time savings.
- 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 →