Electricity Cost Calculator

Knowing exactly what each appliance costs to run is one of the quickest ways to take control of a UK electricity bill. Under the Ofgem Energy Price Cap for Q1 2025, the typical capped unit rate sits around 24.5p per kWh with a daily standing charge of roughly 60p, although the precise figures vary across the 14 Ofgem regions — London tends to have the lowest standing charges while North Scotland has some of the highest unit rates. Domestic gas and electricity carry a reduced 5% VAT rate (compared with the 20% standard rate), so the prices you see on bills already include that VAT. Our Electricity Cost Calculator translates appliance wattage and usage time into a clear cost per hour, day, week, month and year. Enter the wattage shown on the appliance label (or the rating plate on the back), the hours you use it each day, and your unit rate — the calculator does the rest. If you do not know your unit rate, use the Ofgem default of 24.5p/kWh for a quick estimate. Big-ticket items in a typical UK home include the electric shower, tumble dryer, kettle, oven and any always-on devices such as routers, set-top boxes and games consoles. The calculator is especially useful before buying a new appliance: comparing the running cost of an A-rated heat pump tumble dryer (around £40/year) versus a vented dryer (£100+/year) often justifies a higher purchase price within two to three years. It also helps quantify the saving from switching to LED lighting, replacing an old fridge-freezer, or shifting EV charging and laundry to off-peak Economy 7 hours. The Ofgem cap is reviewed quarterly in January, April, July and October, so update your unit rate after each cap change for accurate figures.