How to cut your electricity bill: what each appliance really costs

What everyday appliances cost to use at the Ofgem price cap, and the changes that cut an electricity bill the most.

Updated: November 2026Electricity: 26.32p/kWh (Ofgem price cap)

Quick answer: at 26.32p a kWh, heating is where most money goes: a 2 kW heater costs 52.6p an hour, a heated throw 3.9p. Heat yourself and one room, use thermostats and timers, dry laundry without the tumble dryer and switch off standby with a smart plug.

What everyday appliances cost to use

Appliance and use	Energy	Cost	Tip
Kettle (3 kW), 1 litre	0.11 kWh	2.9p	boil only the water you need
Microwave (800 W), 5 minutes	0.07 kWh	1.8p	cheapest way to reheat
Electric oven (2 kW), 40 minutes	1.00 kWh	26.3p	batch cook, use the fan
Heated throw (150 W), 1 hour	0.15 kWh	3.9p	warm yourself, not the room
Heated airer (300 W), 6 hours	1.80 kWh	47.4p	instead of the tumble dryer
2 kW heater, 1 hour	2.00 kWh	52.6p	thermostat and timer
Dehumidifier (200 W), 8 hours	1.60 kWh	42.1p	humidity setting at 50–55 %

At the Ofgem price cap (26.32p/kWh). Typical powers; check the rating label on your appliances, or measure them with an energy monitoring plug.

The changes that save the most

Heat yourself and one room, not the whole house: a heated throw costs 3.9p an hour.
Thermostats and timers on every heater: the heater that saves money is the one that switches itself off. See the cheapest heater to run.
Dry laundry without the tumble dryer: a heated airer or a dehumidifier in laundry mode.
Kill standby: a smart plug on a schedule for the TV corner and games console.
Check your tariff: if you can move use to the night, ask your supplier about Economy 7 or a time-of-use tariff (see Economy 7).

Struggling to pay? Contact your energy supplier first: they must offer help such as payment plans. Citizens Advice can tell you about grants and schemes you may qualify for.

Frequently asked questions

What uses the most electricity in a UK home?

Anything that heats: electric heaters, tumble dryers, ovens, immersion heaters and electric showers. Fridges and freezers add up because they run all year.

How much does it cost to boil a kettle?

Boiling 1 litre takes about 0.11 kWh: roughly 2.9p at the price cap. Boil only what you need.

Does turning things off at the wall save money?

Yes, a little each: every 10 W of standby running all year costs about £23.06.

Running costs use the Ofgem energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026: average unit rate for electricity paid by Direct Debit (26.32p/kWh, standing charge 54.83p/day) and gas (7.97p/kWh). National averages; your region and tariff may differ. Prices on Amazon change: check the live price before you buy.