Electricity Cost Calculator UK
Professional energy cost calculator for UK households & businesses. Calculate appliance running costs, kWh bills, standing charges & Economy 7 tariffs. Aligned with Ofgem price cap and real UK electricity rates.
UK Electricity Cost Calculator – Appliance & Household Bills
Use this electricity cost calculator UK to work out exactly how much your electrical appliances cost to run. Input the wattage, daily usage hours, and your current electricity rate per kWh (e.g., 24p). For a full household estimate, switch to the household bill estimator to add multiple appliances and see your total daily, monthly, and yearly electricity costs. Includes standing charge options and Economy 7 off‑peak calculations.
Add your appliances below to estimate your total household electricity bill. Enter each appliance's wattage, daily usage hours, and select if it runs on an off‑peak tariff (Economy 7).
Electricity Cost Formula – How Your Bill Is Calculated
Wattage × hours = Energy (Wh)
Multiply the appliance power rating (Watts) by the number of hours it runs per day to get Watt‑hours. Divide by 1000 to convert to kilowatt‑hours (kWh), the unit used for billing.
Electricity Rate (£/kWh)
The price you pay per unit of electrical energy. UK residential rates under the Ofgem cap are around 24–27 p/kWh. Business rates vary. This is multiplied by your daily kWh usage.
Standing Charge
A fixed daily fee covering network and supplier costs. UK standing charges for electricity typically range from 45p to 65p per day. This is added regardless of consumption.
UK Electricity Tariffs & Ofgem Price Cap
UK electricity prices are influenced by the Ofgem energy price cap, which limits the maximum rate suppliers can charge for standard variable tariffs. As of 2026, the average direct debit rate is approximately 24–27 p/kWh with a standing charge of 50–60 p/day. Fixed‑rate tariffs may offer slightly lower rates, while Economy 7 tariffs provide cheaper off‑peak electricity (typically 13–18 p/kWh) in exchange for higher daytime rates.
| Tariff Type | Typical Peak Rate (p/kWh) | Off‑Peak Rate (p/kWh) | Standing Charge (p/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Variable (Ofgem cap) | 24 – 27 | N/A | 50 – 60 |
| Fixed 1‑Year Tariff | 22 – 25 | N/A | 45 – 55 |
| Economy 7 | 26 – 30 | 13 – 18 | 50 – 65 |
| Smart Time‑of‑Use (Octopus Agile, etc.) | Variable (15 – 35) | Variable (5 – 20) | 45 – 55 |
Appliance Running Costs – UK Wattage & Energy Use
Understanding how much electricity your household appliances consume is key to reducing energy bills. Below is a table of typical UK appliance wattages and estimated daily costs based on a 24p/kWh rate.
| Appliance | Typical Wattage (W) | Hours/Day | Daily kWh | Daily Cost (excl. standing charge) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washing Machine (60°C cycle) | 2000 | 1.5 | 3.0 | £0.72 |
| Tumble Dryer | 2500 | 1.0 | 2.5 | £0.60 |
| Dishwasher (Eco cycle) | 1500 | 1.5 | 2.25 | £0.54 |
| Fridge‑Freezer (24h avg) | 200 | 24 (cycling) | 1.2 | £0.29 |
| Electric Oven | 2500 | 1.0 | 2.5 | £0.60 |
| Kettle (boils 4x/day) | 2800 | 0.2 total | 0.56 | £0.13 |
| Electric Heater (2kW) | 2000 | 5 | 10.0 | £2.40 |
| Heat Pump (8kW thermal, COP 3) | 2667 (elec) | 6 | 16.0 | £3.84 |
| Portable Air Conditioner | 1500 | 4 | 6.0 | £1.44 |
| EV Charger (7kW) | 7000 | 4 | 28.0 | £6.72 |
Daily electricity cost of common appliances at 24p/kWh (excluding standing charge).
Worked Examples – UK Electricity Cost Calculations
Example 1: Electric Heater Running Cost
A 2000W electric heater used for 5 hours at 24p/kWh: Daily cost = (2000×5/1000)×0.24 = £2.40. Monthly (30 days) = £72.00. Add standing charge (50p/day) → £87.00 monthly total.
Example 2: Heat Pump Winter Day
8 kW heat pump with COP 3 uses 2.67 kW electrical. Running 8 hours: (2.67×8) = 21.36 kWh × 0.24 = £5.13/day. Standing charge 50p → £5.63/day.
Example 3: Economy 7 Storage Heater
3.4 kW storage heater running 7 off‑peak hours at 14p/kWh: (3.4×7)×0.14 = £3.33/day. Peak rate usage minimal. Standing charge 55p → £3.88/day.