APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does a kettle cost to run?
A kettle draws more power than almost anything else in a kitchen, but only for a couple of minutes, so each boil costs very little. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, a kettle costs about 79p an hour at full power, or 2.6p for a typical 2-minute boil.
PER HOUR
79pat 3,000 W, full powerPER BOIL
2.6p0.10 kWh over 2 minutesPER WEEK
74p28 boils a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£38146 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.
2.8 kWh over 7 days · about £0.11 a day
How much electricity it uses
- Most household kettles are rated at 2,200 to 2,400 W, and rapid-boil models such as the Russell Hobbs 27450 at 3,000 W.
- Heating 1 litre of water by 80°C needs about 0.1 kWh in ideal conditions, whatever the kettle’s wattage: a higher rating boils faster rather than using much less energy.
- In the government’s Household Electricity Survey (monitoring in 2010–11), kettles used an average of 167 kWh a year per home, and 65% of boils used less than 0.1 kWh.
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per boil | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | 2,200 W | 58p | 1.9p | £28 |
| Typical | 3,000 W | 79p | 2.6p | £38 |
Usage assumption: Four boils a day, each about two minutes at full power (roughly one litre). This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- How much water you boil: energy rises in proportion to the amount of water, so boiling a full kettle for one cup wastes most of it.
- How often you boil: frequent reboiling of water that has cooled adds up.
- Limescale on the element slows heating and wastes some energy.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1 boil, 2 minutes | 0.10 kWh | 2.6p |
| Microwave | 1 use, 5 minutes | 0.11 kWh | 2.8p |
| Electric hob (ceramic or induction) | 1 meal, 20 minutes | 0.60 kWh | 16p |
Ways to spend less
- The Energy Saving Trust says avoiding overfilling the kettle saves about £10 a year in Great Britain.
- If you have an electric hob, the Energy Saving Trust advises boiling water for cooking in the kettle first.
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 a kettle cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), a kettle rated at 3,000 W costs about 79p an hour at full power. Models from 2,200 W to 3,000 W cost 58p to 79p an hour.
How much does a kettle cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is four boils a day, each about two minutes at full power (roughly one litre). At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £38 a year (146 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
Does a 3 kW kettle cost more to run than a 2.2 kW one?
Not much. A more powerful kettle costs more per minute but boils the same water faster, so the energy for each boil is similar. What changes the cost is how much water you heat.
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
- Microwave
- Toaster
- Coffee machine (bean-to-cup)
- Electric hob (ceramic or induction)
- Air fryer
- All 32 appliances →
Sources
- Morphy Richards: how many watts does a kettle use? ↗Most household kettles 2,200–2,400 W; heating 1 litre by 80°C needs about 0.1 kWh.
- Russell Hobbs Calm Quiet Boil kettle 27450 ↗3,000 W, 1.7 litre kettle.
- Household Electricity Survey final report (DEFRA, DECC and Energy Saving Trust, 2012, PDF) ↗Measured appliance use in 250 English homes, 2010–11: annual kWh by appliance, cycles per year and energy per cycle.
- Energy Saving Trust: quick tips to save energy at home ↗Savings tips for kettles, washing machines, dishwashers, drying and standby (page last updated 6 October 2026).
- 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 →