APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does a vacuum cleaner cost to run?
Mains vacuum cleaners sold since September 2017 must be rated below 900 W, so running costs are modest. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, a vacuum cleaner costs about 24p an hour at full power, or 12p for a typical 30-minute session.
PER HOUR
24pat 900 W, full powerPER SESSION
12p0.45 kWh over 30 minutesPER WEEK
24p2 sessions a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£1247 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.
0.9 kWh over 7 days · about £0.03 a day
How much electricity it uses
- Ecodesign rules that remain in force in Great Britain require mains vacuum cleaners placed on the market from 1 September 2017 to have a rated input power below 900 W and annual energy consumption below 43 kWh.
- The rules do not apply to battery-operated, robot, wet or industrial vacuum cleaners.
- Because 900 W is a maximum, the costs on this page are an upper estimate for a new corded model.
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per session | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical | 900 W | 24p | 12p | £12 |
Usage assumption: Two 30-minute sessions a week at the 900 W legal maximum. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Hours of use.
- Older models sold before 2017 could be rated well above 900 W.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum cleaner | 1 session, 30 minutes | 0.45 kWh | 12p |
| Iron | 1 session, 30 minutes | 1.30 kWh | 34p |
| Hair dryer | 1 use, 10 minutes | 0.37 kWh | 9.7p |
Ways to spend less
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 vacuum cleaner cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), a vacuum cleaner rated at 900 W costs about 24p an hour at full power. Models from 900 W to 900 W cost 24p to 24p an hour.
How much does a vacuum cleaner cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is two 30-minute sessions a week at the 900 W legal maximum. At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £12 a year (47 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
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
- Regulation (EU) No 666/2013, Annex I: ecodesign requirements for vacuum cleaners ↗From 1 September 2017, rated input power must be less than 900 W and annual energy less than 43 kWh.
- Regulation (EU) No 666/2013, Article 1: scope ↗Battery-operated, robot, wet and industrial vacuum cleaners are outside the rules.
- 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 →