The electricity price in 2025 is around 30–35 pence per kilowatt-hour. What does that mean for your appliances? A fridge runs 8,760 hours a year – small differences in consumption add up significantly. Our calculator shows what each appliance really costs and helps you identify the energy guzzlers in your home.
Step by Step: How to Use the Electricity Cost Calculator
- Enter the appliance wattage: Watts (W) from the rating plate or the instruction manual.
- Enter the hours of use: How many hours per day does the appliance run? Fridge: 24h (effective cycling time approx. 8–12h). TV: 4h/day.
- Enter the electricity price: Roughly 30–35p/kWh in 2025 – use your own tariff for accuracy.
- Formula: Annual cost = (Watts / 1,000) × hours per year × price per kWh.
- Compare appliances: Old versus new model – shows the savings potential of upgrading.
Practical Examples
Fridge 150W, effective 8h/day: 0.15 kW × 2,920h × £0.31 = £135.78/year. Energy class A+++ (90W): 0.09 × 2,920 × 0.31 = £81.47 → saving £54/year.
Washing machine 2kW, 3 washes/week at 1.5h each: 2 × 234h × 0.31 = £145.08/year. Tip: washing at 60°C instead of 90°C cuts consumption by 30% ≈ £43 saved.
Gaming PC 350W vs. laptop 45W, 3h/day: PC: 0.35 × 1,095 × 0.31 = £118.71/year. Laptop: 0.045 × 1,095 × 0.31 = £15.27/year. Difference: £103/year!
Typical Annual Electricity Costs (£0.31/kWh)
- Fridge (A+++): ~£80/year
- Chest freezer: ~£90–120/year
- Washing machine (5 washes/week): ~£100–120/year
- Dishwasher (daily): ~£90–110/year
- 55" TV (4h/day): ~£40–60/year
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I find out the actual consumption of my appliance?
Check the rating plate or data sheet (wattage figure). Better still: use an energy monitor plug (from around £15) – it measures actual consumption both in use and on standby.
What does standby consumption actually cost?
A TV on standby: 0.5–2W. At 20h standby per day: 10–40Wh/day = 3.65–14.6 kWh/year ≈ £1–4.50/year. That sounds small – but 10 appliances on standby can add up to £10–40/year.
Which appliances use the most electricity?
Typically: electric heaters/heat pumps (1–3kW), electric hob (1–3kW when cooking), water heater (1–2kW), tumble dryer (2–3kW), air conditioning (1–3kW). Continuous-use appliances like fridges and freezers add up despite their modest wattage.
