Calculate how much an appliance costs to run per day, month and year. Includes common appliance presets.
What Is Electricity Cost Calculator?
An electricity cost calculator estimates how much it costs to run an electrical appliance based on its wattage, daily usage hours and your electricity rate. The result is shown per day, per month and per year, making it easy to identify which appliances contribute most to your electricity bill.
Energy costs in the UK are calculated per kilowatt-hour (kWh). One kilowatt-hour is the energy used by a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour. By knowing the wattage of your devices and how long you use them, you can calculate exact running costs and make informed decisions about energy efficiency.
How to Use This Tool
Enter the wattage of the appliance (found on the label or in the manual).
Set how many hours per day the appliance is typically used.
Enter your electricity rate in pence per kWh (check your energy bill for this).
View the daily, monthly and annual running cost.
Compare costs for different appliances to identify energy savings opportunities.
Tips & Best Practices
Standby power adds up — a device using 5 watts on standby 24/7 costs roughly £8–10 per year.
LED bulbs use about 80% less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs with the same brightness.
Running a tumble dryer costs roughly 50p–70p per cycle — air drying saves significant money over a year.
The UK average electricity rate is approximately 24.5p per kWh — check your tariff for your actual rate.
Common Use Cases
Estimating the running cost of heating, cooling or kitchen appliances before purchase.
Identifying the most expensive appliances on your electricity bill.
Comparing the cost of running different appliances to decide which to replace with efficient models.
Calculating the payback period for energy-efficient upgrades like LED lighting or modern boilers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the cost calculated?
Watts × hours per day ÷ 1000 = kWh per day. Multiply by your electricity rate for the cost.