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Washing Machine Cost Calculator
Calculate how much your washing machine costs to run per wash, week, month and year using your own electricity rate.
Calculate →UK Electricity Cost Calculators
Work out what everyday appliances may cost to run using your own electricity rate.
Explore CalculatorsElectricity Cost Calculators
Choose an appliance, enter your tariff and usage, and get an instant estimate.
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Tumble Dryer Cost Calculator
Estimate the electricity cost of using a tumble dryer per load, week, month and year.
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Dishwasher Cost Calculator
Estimate your dishwasher electricity cost per cycle, week, month and year.
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Kettle Cost Calculator
Calculate how much it costs to boil your electric kettle using its wattage, boil time and your electricity rate.
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Oven Cost Calculator
Estimate the electricity cost of running an electric oven per cooking session, week, month and year.
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Microwave Cost Calculator
Estimate your microwave electricity cost per use, day, month and year.
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Air Fryer Cost Calculator
Estimate how much your air fryer costs to run per use, week, month and year.
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Electric Heater Cost Calculator
Estimate the running cost of an electric heater using its wattage, hours used per day and your electricity rate.
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Gaming PC Cost Calculator
Estimate how much a gaming PC costs in electricity based on average power draw and play time.
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Generic Appliance Cost Calculator
Use this general calculator for TVs, dehumidifiers, fans, computers and other electrical appliances.
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EV Charging Cost Calculator
Estimate home EV charging cost from battery size, percentage added, charging efficiency and your electricity unit rate.
Calculate →How EnergyCalc UK works
Most calculations use a simple principle: electricity consumed in kilowatt-hours (kWh) multiplied by your unit price gives an estimated energy cost.
For appliances with an energy label, use the label's kWh figure. For appliances rated in watts, the calculators convert power and time into kWh.
How to find appliance energy use
Current default
26.11p/kWh
The default electricity rate used by the calculators is the Ofgem average unit rate for a standard variable tariff paid by Direct Debit, 1 July–30 September 2026. Replace it with your own tariff for a more relevant estimate.
View Ofgem rates →What affects the cost of running an appliance?
An appliance running cost depends on how much electricity it uses and what your household pays for each unit. Power consumption, usually shown in watts, describes how quickly an appliance uses electricity at a particular moment. Energy usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh) accounts for how long it runs. Your electricity unit rate, in pence per kWh, turns that usage into a cost.
Both running time and frequency matter. A short kettle boil repeated throughout the day adds up differently from one evening of television. Two households using the same appliance can therefore pay different amounts: one may use it more often, run longer programmes or have a different electricity tariff.
Efficiency and settings also affect consumption. An appliance that needs less electricity to complete the same task may cost less per use. Washing temperatures, drying options and intensive programmes can change the energy needed, while a thermostat may switch a heater or oven element on and off. The rated power is not necessarily its average consumption throughout a session.
Some devices also draw electricity in standby between uses. For a fuller estimate, consider this separately where relevant, especially when a device stays plugged in all day but is only used briefly.
How to get a more accurate estimate
The most useful estimate reflects your appliance, your tariff and your routine. Before using an electricity cost calculator, gather a few details:
- Check your latest electricity bill for your actual electricity unit rate in pence per kWh. Our UK electricity unit rate guide explains which figure to use.
- Use the energy usage on the appliance energy label where available. Check whether it gives consumption per cycle, per 100 cycles or per year before entering it.
- Check the manufacturer's specifications or manual for your exact model. See how to find appliance energy use for help locating suitable figures.
- Use kWh per cycle for washing machines and dishwashers where the calculator asks for it. Divide a label figure for 100 cycles by 100 to get a per-cycle estimate.
- Choose realistic usage frequency based on your usual week, including days when you do not use the appliance.
- Enter realistic running time: minutes for a short use, or hours for a longer session, according to the input label.
- Match the energy figure to the programme where possible. Eco, high-temperature and intensive settings may use different amounts of electricity; a longer programme does not automatically use more.
- Treat results as estimates. Actual costs may vary with the load, settings, appliance condition and changes to your routine.
Understanding electricity running costs
Watts (W) describe power: how quickly an appliance uses electricity. A kilowatt (kW) is 1,000 watts, so a 2,000W heater has a power rating of 2kW. Kilowatt-hours (kWh) measure the amount of energy used over time. An appliance drawing a steady 1kW for one hour uses 1kWh; running it for half an hour uses 0.5kWh.
Electricity suppliers charge for consumption in kWh because this measures the energy delivered, rather than just the power rating of the devices you own. Multiply kWh by your unit rate in pence to find the cost in pence, then divide by 100 for pounds. Longer running time increases consumption when power stays the same, while a higher unit rate increases the price of each kWh.
When comparing UK electricity costs, consider the energy needed for the whole task. Our guide to comparing appliance running costs helps you make useful comparisons between different appliances and usage patterns.
Common electricity cost questions
What is a kWh?
A kilowatt-hour, abbreviated to kWh, is a measure of electrical energy. Using 1,000 watts continuously for one hour consumes 1kWh. The same amount of energy could be used by a 500W appliance running for two hours. It combines power and time, which is why your electricity bill records consumption in kWh rather than simply listing appliance wattages.
How do I find my electricity unit rate?
Look at your latest electricity bill, supplier account or tariff details for a price shown in pence per kWh. Use the rate including VAT for a household cost estimate. Do not enter the daily standing charge: that is a separate fixed cost. If you have different day and night rates, choose the rate that applies when you use the appliance.
Why might my actual electricity cost be different from the calculator result?
A calculator relies on the figures you enter, while real consumption changes during use. A heater may cycle off once the room is warm, and a washing machine's consumption can vary with programme and load. Label figures reflect specified test conditions. Your bill also includes other appliances and standing charges, so an individual appliance estimate will not match your total bill.
Does a higher wattage appliance always cost more to run?
No. At the same electricity rate, an appliance drawing more watts for the same length of time uses more electricity and costs more. However, a higher-powered appliance may finish its task sooner, or run at full power only intermittently. Compare total kWh for a similar task or session, rather than assuming the lower number on the rating plate means a cheaper result.
How can I reduce the cost of running household appliances?
Start with appliances you use frequently or for long periods. Consider whether you can shorten unnecessary running time, choose a suitable eco programme or wash a full load within the manufacturer's capacity guidance. Follow maintenance instructions and switch off unused standby devices where appropriate. Compare estimates using your own habits to see which changes may help; savings depend on your equipment, tariff and usage.
How often should I update the electricity rate in the calculators?
Check the rate whenever your supplier tells you your tariff is changing, when you switch tariff or supplier, and when a fixed deal ends. Before making a fresh comparison, confirm that the calculator matches your current bill. For a tariff with different prices at different times, use the applicable rate for the planned session, or calculate each period separately.
Are EnergyCalc UK results exact?
No. EnergyCalc UK results are estimates based on the energy usage, running time, frequency and electricity rate supplied to each calculator. They help you understand likely costs and compare scenarios, but do not measure your appliance directly. A suitable plug-in energy monitor can provide measured consumption for a compatible appliance, although future usage and costs can still vary.
Explore our electricity cost calculators
Use our electricity cost calculators to estimate everyday appliance costs with your own electricity rate and usage. Compare different appliances over the same period, or adjust running time and frequency to see how changes to your routine could affect the estimate.