We all know we’re supposed to turn the lights off when we leave a room. And you might groan when you come home to an empty house and find the telly still blaring away. But when it comes to saving electricity, it’s not always clear where your money’s actually going. Is unplugging the phone charger worth it? Or should you focus on bigger items like the washing machine?
Knowing what uses the most electricity helps you take control. Because while small things do add up, it’s often the bigger appliances doing the heavy lifting, and costing you the most.
Electricity Use Trends in UK Homes
Kilowatt-hours (kWh) are the standard way we measure electricity. It’s not a measure of the number of kilowatts you’re using in an hour though, even if that seems to make the most sense. Think of it as the amount of energy you would use by keeping a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour. To give you an idea of what one kWh looks like in real life, running an electric oven for about 20 minutes would use roughly 1 kWh.
Back in 2007, one kWh of electricity cost around 7p. Today, it’s closer to 26p - nearly four times more (Ofgem). That’s a bigger jump than many everyday costs, and it means even small appliances running in the background can quietly eat into your budget.
At the same time, total electricity use in UK homes has fallen by about 19.2% per household since its peak in 2005, according to DESNZ data. This is partly thanks to more energy-efficient appliances, smart appliances that can be monitored more efficiently, better insulation, growing awareness of how to save energy, and climate change
But here’s the challenge. As EV chargers for electric cars and heat pumps become the norm, national demand is expected to double by 2035, and most of that power will need to come from cleaner, greener sources.
How you use electricity at home matters more than ever. For your bills, and for the planet.
Note: All cost estimates below are based on a unit rate of 25.73 p/kWh, in line with the Ofgem energy price cap from 1 July to 30 September 2025. Earlier rates (e.g. 27.03 p/kWh from April–June) may have been higher.
Wet Appliances: Big Loads, Big Costs
Washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers are sometimes known as wet appliances. They account for around 14 percent of the average home’s electricity bill (Energy Saving Trust).
Heating water and drying clothes uses a lot of power, but with smarter habits, you can save without any hassle.
How much electricity does a washing machine use?
A hot wash at 90°C can use around 2 kWh (roughly 51p per load). But an eco-wash at 30°C might use just 0.3 kWh (around 7.7p).
Swapping one hot wash a week for a cooler one could save around £20 a year.
Tip: Always run full loads but don’t overload. Check labels for recommended settings.
How much electricity does a tumble dryer use?
Condenser and vented tumble dryers are some of the most energy-hungry appliances in your home. A single cycle can use 3 to 5 kWh, costing up to £1.28 each time.
You might not have heard of heat pump tumble dryers, but they’re a newer option that’s worth a look next time your machine needs replacing. They recycle warm air using clever technology, cutting electricity use by around 50% compared to standard condenser models. While they cost more upfront, they can save you money in the long run.
Tip: Dry outside when you can. Or use an airer in a warm, ventilated room.
How much electricity does a dishwasher use?
Dishwashers typically use between 1.5 and 2 kWh per load (£0.39 - £0.51 on average).
Tip: Use eco mode and wait for a full load, to save energy and water.
Cold Appliances: Always On
Fridges and freezers run 24 hours a day. That constant use means they make up around 13 percent of the average electricity bill.
How much electricity does a fridge freezer use?
A modern fridge freezer might use around 292 kWh per year, which costs about £75. Older models can use much more.
Keep it running efficiently:
- Set your fridge to 3–5°C, freezer to -18°C
- Don’t overfill, block air vents or leave the door open
- Allow food to cool before placing it in the fridge
- Check door seals
- Don’t place a fridge near a heat source such as an oven
- Defrost regularly
Turning your fridge off, even for an hour, won’t save you much, if anything, as it will use more energy to get back to temperature, and it could lead to food waste or even food poisoning.
Cooking and Heating Appliances
Ovens, kettles and microwaves use a lot of power, but usually only for short periods. Here’s a guide:
- Oven: 1.5–2 kWh per hour (£0.39-£0.51)
- Kettle: 0.1 kWh per boil (up to 3p)
- Microwave: 0.7–1.2 kWh per hour (around 1.5-3p for 5 minutes)
Tip: Use a microwave or air fryer instead of the oven for smaller meals. And only boil the water you need.
Consumer Electronics and Lighting – Energy Efficient Devices
TVs, laptops, game consoles and internet routers all sip electricity, especially when left on standby.
Standby power - also known as vampire energy - still adds up. According to the Energy Saving Trust, turning devices such as TVs, consoles or chargers completely off at the plug could save the average household around £45 a year. That’s the equivalent of about 3-4% of your annual electricity use.
Turn your lights off when you’re not using them or when you leave a room. This saves you around £8 a year.
Tip: Use smart plugs to turn off multiple items at once. Switch to LED bulbs - they could help you save even more.
Hotter Summers, Colder Winters
Remember when the UK hit 40°C in 2022? As weather gets more extreme, more people are buying fans, air conditioners and electric heaters, which use a lot of electricity.
Tip: On hot summer days, keep windows and curtains closed in rooms not used during the day. Then open them in the evening to let cooler air in.
Anything with a heating element uses a lot of energy. A small electric heater might seem like a quick fix, but costs can quickly spiral. It’s usually cheaper to turn down radiators in rooms you’re not using and just heat the ones you are.
Here’s what they cost to run:
- Portable fan: 0.04–0.1 kWh per hour (around 1–2.5p)
- Electric heater: 2–3 kWh per hour (51–76p)
- Air conditioner: Up to 1.5 kWh per hour (around 38p)
Appliance Comparison Table
| Appliance | Usage Time | Energy (kWh) | Cost (@25.73p) |
| Electric shower (9kW) | 10 minutes | 1.5 | £0.38 |
| Immersion heater (3kW) | 1 hour | 3.0 | £0.75 |
| Tumble dryer | 1 cycle | 3.0 | £0.75 |
| Electric heater (2.5kW) | 1 hour | 2.5 | £0.64 |
| Washing machine (hot e.g. 90°C) | 1 cycle | 2.0 | £0.51 |
| Dishwasher | 1 cycle | 1.8 | £0.45 |
| Oven (electric) | 1 hour | 1.5 | £0.38 |
| Desktop PC (0.14kW) | 8 hours usage | 1.12 | £0.28 |
| Hairdryer (2kW) | 10 minutes | 0.33 | £0.08 |
| Iron (1.5kW) | 30 minutes | 0.75 | £0.19 |
| Vacuum cleaner (0.9kW) | 30 minutes | 0.45 | £0.11 |
| Fridge freezer | 24 hours (daily avg.) | 0.8 | £0.20 |
| Games console | 3 hours gameplay | 0.36 | £0.09 |
| TV + devices (standby) | 24/7 (daily) | 0.4 | £0.10 |
| LCD TV (0.12kW) | 4 hours usage | 0.48 | £0.12 |
| Laptop (0.05kW) | 4 hours usage | 0.2 | £0.05 |
| Microwave (1kW) | 10 minutes | 0.17 | £0.04 |
| Electric blanket (0.15kW) | 1 hour | 0.15 | £0.04 |
| Toaster | 5 minutes | 0.08 | £0.02 |
| Kettle | 4 minutes | 0.1 | £0.03 |
| Broadband router | 24/7 (daily) | 0.24 | £0.06 |
| Extractor fan (0.02kW) | 2 hours | 0.04 | £0.01 |
- Fridge/freezer: Estimated daily usage, accounting for cycling on/off
- Kettle: Assumes boiling 1 litre of water per use (~4 mins)
- Hairdryer, toaster, microwave, etc.: Based on average duration of typical use
- TV/devices on standby: Represents cumulative 24-hour standby consumption
- Router: 24-hour continuous use at 0.01kW
All appliance usage stats (kWh and cost per use) in this article were sourced from Heatable and from the Citizens Advice energy cost calculator - Citizens Advice: Check how much your appliances cost to use. All costs calculated using a unit rate of 25.73p/kWh (Ofgem price cap, July–Sept 2025). Figures are rounded for clarity. Your exact cost will vary depending on appliance make/model, usage habits, and tariff.
Quick Energy Saving Tips
- Only wash full loads
- Air-dry clothes where possible
- Use eco modes and shorter cycles
- Turn off lights and devices at the wall
- Swap old appliances for energy-efficient models
Every little helps. Even unplugging one unused charger or switching to LED bulbs can save pounds over the year.
For more help cutting your energy usage, visit our 2025 Guide – and never be tempted to tamper with your meter. It’s unsafe and could cause a fatal accident. Find out more about the consequences of not reporting electricity theft.