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Appliance Running Cost Calculator

See how wattage, run time, and tariff combine to shape the cost of everyday home appliances.

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Published: 2026-01-01

Last updated: 2026-04-28

Last reviewed: 2026-04-28

Confidence: medium

Page review status

Written by: HeatWise Home Editorial Team

Reviewed by: Editorial review by HeatWise Home

Review status: Internally reviewed for clarity, source consistency, and calculation assumptions.

Expert review: Not currently externally expert-reviewed.

Last updated: 2026-04-28

Last reviewed: 2026-04-28

Confidence: medium

Sources:

External expert review: HeatWise Home does not currently publish named external expert reviewers. We are working toward adding independent review from qualified retrofit, heating, or building-energy professionals. Until then, users should treat our calculators and guides as educational planning tools and confirm decisions with official sources and qualified installers.

Estimate the real running cost of common household appliances

Small usage habits can add up quickly, especially on higher electricity tariffs. This calculator turns wattage and run time into daily, monthly, and annual cost estimates.

It is especially useful for checking portable heaters, dryers, dehumidifiers, and other loads that can quietly push bills upward.

Helpful next step

See formulas, assumptions, and limits behind each estimate.

Read our calculator methodology

How the formula works

Daily kWh equals wattage divided by 1,000, multiplied by hours used per day. Daily cost equals daily kWh multiplied by electricity price.

Weekly, monthly, and annual estimates scale that daily cost by days used per week, an average month, and 52 weeks.

Example calculation

A 2,000 W portable heater used for 2 hours per day uses 4 kWh per day.

At 30p per kWh, that is GBP1.20 per day. Used five days per week, it costs about GBP312 per year.

United Kingdom assumptions

Currency: GBP. Electricity: £0.25 per kWh. Gas: £0.06 per kWh. Heating oil: £0.11 per kWh.

  • Planning ranges: Electricity GBP 0.22-0.34 per kWh (Ofgem regional cap spread and available tariffs); Gas GBP 0.05-0.11 per kWh (Ofgem cap benchmark and regional/tariff variation); Heating oil GBP 0.09-0.13 per kWh equivalent (kerosene supplier tracking, delivery-size and season dependent).
  • Last checked: 2026-04-28. Confidence: medium.
  • Sources: Ofgem energy price cap and market data, GOV.UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme, MCS standards and UK building fabric guidance.

Caveat: prices vary by supplier, tariff, region, standing charge, and usage. Electricity/gas benchmarks align with Ofgem's 1 April to 30 June 2026 cap context (24.67p/kWh electricity and 5.74p/kWh gas GB average, Direct Debit) and broader tariff variation. Heating-oil range uses UK supplier-tracked kerosene pricing converted to kWh-equivalent planning values.

View calculator methodology

Daily cost

£1

Weekly cost

£3

Monthly cost

£11

Annual cost

£130

Energy-saving tip

Run full loads and use sensor drying where possible.

Calculators on this site are estimates only. Always get a professional heat loss survey and verify current grant rules, tariffs, and product suitability before making purchase decisions.

Appliance running cost FAQs

Higher wattage means more electricity drawn each hour. Long run times then compound the cost over weeks and years.

Helpful next step

Adjust fuel prices, SCOP, grants, and costs using your own numbers.

Estimate your heat pump payback

Related tools and guides

Home Energy Cost CalculatorHow Much Does a Heat Pump Cost to Run?More Energy Articles

Methodology and assumptions

Review formulas, SCOP/COP context, fuel price assumptions, and limitations before relying on results.

Read calculator methodology

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