Page last updated on 18th August 2026

Energy saving in the kitchen: how to calculate appliance running costs

As UK households look for ways to cut electricity bills, understanding appliance running costs can help you make smarter cooking choices and reduce energy waste. Comparing common appliances can make a real difference to your monthly energy spend.

This guide explains how to calculate appliance running costs, compares common kitchen appliances, and shares practical ways to cut electricity use at home.

What's on this page?

Why are appliance running costs important?
What impacts kitchen appliance running costs?
How to calculate appliance running costs
Typical running costs for common kitchen appliances
Oven vs Slow cooker vs air fryer energy consumption
How to save energy when cooking with kitchen appliances
FAQs about kitchen appliance electricity use

Why are appliance running costs important?

Understanding the energy costs of appliances is easier with an appliance running cost calculator uk. In UK households, estimating your monthly electricity bills can help you manage your energy usage and budget more effectively.

For example, comparing appliances such as air fryers, slow cookers and ovens can show where the biggest electricity savings may be. Air fryers usually cook faster, while slow cookers tend to use lower wattage over a longer period, which can make them a practical option for batch cooking.

What impacts kitchen appliance running costs?

The cost of running your kitchen appliances depends on three main things:

The amount of power that they consume: This is typically measured in kWH (kilowatt hour) and will vary for each individual appliance. Most appliances are now sold with an energy rating on a scale from A-G to let you know how efficient it is.* Energy ratings are relative to the type of appliance, so an A-rated oven will not have the same kWh consumption as an A-rated fridge, and not all appliances are included in this rating system.

The price you pay for your energy: This is charged per unit of electricity. Ofgem, the energy regulator, sets a price cap every 3 months which decides the maximum which energy suppliers can charge customers for their energy per unit. How much you actually pay for your energy will depend on your energy tariff (and whether it offers a rate below the price cap) and your energy usage. Your energy bill should include information about how much you’re being charged for your energy, but you should speak to your supplier if you are unsure.

How long you use the appliance for: Longer use means more electricity consumption. For example:
- Ovens are high-powered appliances that are often used for shorter cooking periods.
- Slow cookers use less power but run for longer.
- Microwaves are designed for short bursts of cooking.

A great way to better understand your energy consumption is with a smart meter. The in-home display lets you get a glimpse of your energy usage in near real-time so you can see exactly how much you’re spending, and even spot when you're using more or less energy.

Learn more about how smart meters can help you track your budgets or enter your energy supplier below to request a smart meter today.

A smarter way to monitor energy use

A smart meter can help you understand your household electricity use in near real time. Its in-home display shows how much energy you are using in pounds and pence, making it easier to spot which appliances use the most electricity.

Alongside an appliance running cost calculator uk, households can use smart meter data to find opportunities to save over time. Learn more about how smart meters can help you track your energy use, or enter your energy supplier below to request one today.

How to calculate appliance running costs

You can use this formula to work out appliance running costs:

Appliance power rating (kW) × electricity unit cost (£) × time used (hours) = running cost

Some appliances list their power in watts (W) rather than kilowatts (kW), so you may need to convert the figure before calculating the cost.

For example, if your oven has a power rating of 3 kW and you pay £0.27 per unit of electricity:

If you use your oven for one hour, much does it cost to run your oven? The total running cost to you would be around £0.81.** This is calculated as:

3 kWh power rating X 1 hour use X £0.2703 kWh energy price cap = £0.81

For more information, please see National Energy Action’s guide to calculating home appliance running costs.

You can also use our energy cost calculator to estimate how much different appliances may cost to run. It uses the latest electricity price cap and average appliance power ratings to show the possible effect on your bills.

Typical running costs for common kitchen appliances

These estimates are based on an electricity rate of £0.27 per kWh. Actual costs will vary depending on the appliance, how long it is used for and your tariff.

Here is how the running costs of common kitchen appliances compare.

How much electricity does a fridge use?
How much electricity does an air fryer use?
How much does it cost to run an oven?
How much does it cost to run a microwave?
How much does a slow cooker cost to run?

How much electricity does a fridge use?

As an appliance that is left on 24/7, you may expect fridge running costs to be high. However, since they are designed to be on all the time, fridges are typically energy efficient. Fridges don’t work at full power all the time either, they just use enough energy to stay at the set temperature. According to National Energy Action, the average fridge-freezer has an energy rating of 100-300W (0.1-0.3 KW).

While you cannot turn your fridge off to save energy (unless it will be empty for a prolonged period), you can achieve energy saving in the kitchen by choosing a more efficient A-rated fridge freezer and adjusting the temperature setting of your fridge. The Foods Standards Agency recommend 0-5°C for the fridge and –18° C for the freezer.

Choosing an energy-efficient fridge freezer can help reduce your household's electricity use over time.

How much electricity does an air fryer use?

An average air fryer may use between 1.4 and 1.7kWh of electricity.

Using an air fryer for one hour a day would cost roughly £0.37 to £0.45, based on a unit rate of £0.2703 per kWh.

Over a 31-day month, that would come to around £11.72 to £14.23.

Air fryers usually cook faster than slow cookers, but they may use more electricity per hour.

How much does it cost to run an oven?

An average oven uses between 2.0 and 5.0 kWh of electricity.

In the UK, running an oven for one hour usually costs about £0.54 to £1.35, depending on the oven’s size, efficiency and your electricity tariff.

If you use your oven every day, monthly costs could range from around £16.74 to £41.85.

This may make air fryers look like a more affordable option, but according to the Energy Saving Trust, who are an impartial and trusted organisation for energy efficiency, they typically have a smaller cooking capacity than traditional ovens. This means that larger meals may need to be cooked in batches in air fryer, leading you to use the appliance for longer.

The exact cost of running an oven depends on the appliance wattage and your electricity tariff, but ovens are usually among the more expensive kitchen appliances to use.

How much does it cost to run a microwave?

The cost of running a microwave will depend on how powerful it is. Average microwaves have a power rating of 700 to 1,400 watts (0.7 to 1.4kW).

Running a 1,000-watt microwave for 30 minutes would cost around £0.14.

Over a 31-day month, that would add up to about £4.19, which works out at roughly cost to run microwave per minute of £0.005.

Because microwaves cook quickly, they are often cheaper for reheating food than using a conventional oven.

How much does a slow cooker cost to run?

The average slow cooker uses 1.3kWh of electricity per meal.

At current prices, that works out at about £0.35 per meal.

Slow cookers are generally one of the cheaper cooking appliances to run, especially for longer cooking sessions and batch meals.

Over a 31-day month, this would total about £10.88. That gives a useful benchmark for the UK slow cooker electricity price, although the exact cost will vary depending on the size of the appliance, cooking time and your tariff.

Oven vs slow cooker vs air fryer energy consumption

When comparing ovens, slow cookers, and air fryers in terms of energy consumption, the most efficient option depends on the meal size, cooking time and appliance wattage.

A slow cooker usually uses less electricity over a long cooking period, while an air fryer can be more efficient than an oven for smaller portions because it heats a smaller space and often cooks faster. Ovens tend to use more energy per hour, but they can still be a practical choice for batch cooking or larger meals.

Appliance	Typical kWh	Estimated Cost Per Hour
Slower cooker	0.7 - 1.5kWh	£0.19 - £0.41
Air Fryer	1.4 - 1.7kWh	£0.37 - £0.45
Oven	2.0 - 5.0kWh	£0.54 - £1.35

In short, oven vs slow cooker vs air fryer energy consumption is not always a simple like-for-like comparison. Slow cookers are often cheaper for long, low-temperature meals, air fryers can be cost-effective for quick meals for one or two people, and ovens may offer better value when cooking several portions at once.

How to save energy when cooking with kitchen appliances

Energy saving in the kitchen starts with understanding how much electricity, and money, is currently being used to power your appliances. Now that you understand how much it costs to keep your kitchen running, you can try some of these tips to save energy when cooking and cleaning:

Ovens: Batch cook meals to reduce overall cooking times and energy usage. Consider using air fryers, which may be slightly cheaper to run, for small meals with a short cooking time.
Air fryers: These can be a more efficient option for smaller portions because they heat up quickly and cook food in a smaller space than a conventional oven.
Fridges: Set your fridge and freezer to the recommended temperatures, 0-5°C for the fridge and –18° C for the freezer. Keep your fridge three-quarters full to allow for the best air flow and energy efficiency.
Kettles: Only boil as much water as you need – overfilling your kettle uses unnecessary electricity. For more information see our guide to descaling your kettle.
Washing machines: Choose a detergent that still works well in cooler water so you can reduce the washing temperature and save electricity. Always wash full loads, where you can, and choose eco programmes. These may take longer to run but use less energy than shorter programmes that work harder to do the same job in less time.
Tumble dryers: Is air-drying your clothes more energy-efficient than using a tumble dryer? It might seem obvious, but drying your clothes naturally can lower your household electricity usage. If rainy British weather prevents you from putting your clothes on the line, you can also consider using a heated airer or running a dehumidifier at the same time as drying your clothes. Just remember to check the energy rating and average running costs of each appliance to decide which is the best option.

You can learn even more about your household energy use with a smart meter. Its in-home display can show your energy use in near real time, in pounds and pence.

FAQs about kitchen appliance electricity use

What is the cheapest cooking appliance to run?

Slow cookers and microwaves are often among the cheapest cooking appliances to run, although the final cost depends on how you use them.

What is the average UK slow cooker electricity price?

A slow cooker typically costs around £0.20 to £0.40 per meal to run, depending on cooking time and electricity prices. This is a practical guide to the UK slow cooker electricity price for most households.

Is an air fryer cheaper than an oven?

In many cases, yes. Air fryers often use less electricity overall because they cook faster, although the best choice depends on the type of meal and portion size.

Can I use an appliance running cost calculator UK to estimate bills?

Yes. An appliance running cost calculator UK can estimate energy use based on wattage, usage time and current electricity prices.