APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does a microwave cost to run?
A microwave heats food directly, so short reheating jobs are cheap even though its power rating is higher than the number on the front. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, a microwave costs about 33p an hour at full power, or 2.8p for a typical 5-minute use.
PER HOUR
33pat 1,270 W, full powerPER USE
2.8p0.11 kWh over 5 minutesPER WEEK
19p7 uses a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£1039 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.
0.7 kWh over 7 days · about £0.03 a day
How much electricity it uses
- A microwave’s advertised wattage is its cooking (output) power. The Sharp MS01EC is sold as an 800 W microwave but draws 1,270 W from the socket, and running costs depend on the input figure.
- In the Household Electricity Survey (2010–11), microwaves used an average of 56 kWh a year per home.
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per use | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical | 1,270 W | 33p | 2.8p | £10 |
Usage assumption: One five-minute use a day at full power. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Cooking time and power level: lower levels use less energy per minute but take longer.
- Starting from frozen takes longer than reheating defrosted food.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microwave | 1 use, 5 minutes | 0.11 kWh | 2.8p |
| Electric oven | 1 use | 0.79 kWh | 21p |
| Air fryer | 1 meal, 20 minutes | 0.58 kWh | 15p |
| Kettle | 1 boil, 2 minutes | 0.10 kWh | 2.6p |
Ways to spend less
- The Energy Saving Trust says microwaves are generally more efficient than ovens at heating food because they heat the food and not the air inside.
- It also suggests defrosting frozen leftovers in the fridge before reheating, which uses less energy than cooking from frozen.
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 microwave cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), a microwave rated at 1,270 W costs about 33p an hour at full power. Models from 1,270 W to 1,270 W cost 33p to 33p an hour.
How much does a microwave cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is one five-minute use a day at full power. At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £10 a year (39 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
Is an 800 W microwave cheaper to run than a 1,000 W one?
Check the input power on the rating plate, not the output in the advert. A lower-powered model also needs longer to heat the same food, so the cost per meal can be similar.
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
- Sharp MS01EC 20 litre microwave ↗800 W microwave output; 1,270 W power consumption.
- 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: what appliances drive up electricity bills most ↗Fridge and freezer share of bills and lifespan; washing, dishwasher and microwave advice.
- 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 →