How Much Does It Cost to Run a Kettle in the UK?
Last updated 5 October 2026 · Prices based on the Ofgem price cap (October 2026 – December 2026)
A kettle draws up to 3kW — one of the highest power ratings in the house — but only for two or three minutes. Boiling just the water you need is the single biggest way to cut its running cost.
Appliance running cost calculator
A 3,000W kettle running 0.2 hours a day costs about £0.16 per day (£57 a year) at 26.32p/kWh.
- Per hour
- £0.79
- Per day
- £0.16
- Per week
- £1.11
- Per month
- £4.79
- Per year
- £57
- kWh per year
- 218
Based on 3000W ÷ 1,000 × 0.2h × 26.32p/kWh. Standing charge not included.
- Electric heater£958
- Immersion heater£575
- Oil-filled radiator£503
- Fan heater£383
- Electric shower£155
- Dehumidifier£153
- Tumble dryer£137
- Fridge freezer£114
- Electric oven£99
- Dishwasher£92
- Heated airer£74
- Kettle£57
- Washing machine£55
- Air fryer£51
- Slow cooker£44
- Electric blanket£10
Kettle running cost by wattage and time (at 26.32p/kWh)
| Wattage | 3 min | 6 min | 12 min | 20 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,800W | £0.02 | £0.05 | £0.09 | £0.16 |
| 2,200W | £0.03 | £0.06 | £0.12 | £0.19 |
| 3,000W | £0.04 | £0.08 | £0.16 | £0.26 |
Typical kettle cost per day, month and year
| Period | Energy used | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | 3.00 kWh | £0.79 |
| Per day | 0.60 kWh | £0.16 |
| Per month | 18.2 kWh | £4.79 |
| Per year | 218 kWh | £57 |
What affects the cost
Water volume
The main driver — halve the water, halve the cost.
Limescale
Scale insulates the element and slows boiling.
Wattage
A 3kW kettle boils faster but uses similar energy.
Starting temperature
Colder winter water takes longer.
Cheaper alternatives to a kettle
• Boil only what you need • Hot water tap (instant boiling) — higher standing use • Thermos flask for repeat cuppas • Microwave for one mug (similar cost)
How to reduce the cost
- Fill to the minimum line for one cup
- Descale regularly in hard-water areas
- Pour extra into a flask
- Don't re-boil water that's still hot
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kettle cost per hour in the UK?
About £0.79 per hour for a 3,000W model at 26.32p/kWh.
How do I work out what my kettle costs to run?
Divide the wattage by 1,000 to get kW, multiply by the hours used, then multiply by your unit rate in pence. Our calculator above does this for you.
How much does it cost to boil a kettle?
A full 1.7-litre kettle uses about 0.18kWh, roughly £0.05. One cup costs about a third of that.
Is it cheaper to boil water in a kettle or on the hob?
An electric kettle is more efficient than a hob because it heats the water directly.
Does the standing charge affect appliance running costs?
No. The electricity standing charge is a fixed daily fee you pay whether or not the appliance is on, so it is excluded from these figures.
Sources and methodology
Energy prices come from the Ofgem price cap for Direct Debit customers (GB average). Installation costs are typical UK ranges from installer quotes and industry guidance, rounded. Savings use today's rates and do not predict future prices.