Appliance Running Cost Calculator UK
With UK electricity around 27p per kWh, small appliances add up fast — and cooling in a heatwave can cost 20× more depending on what you run. Pick an appliance below, set the hours and your tariff, and see the real cost per hour, day and month.
Check the label or manual for your exact model.
Default ~27p is an approximate Great Britain unit rate. Enter your own tariff (on your bill) for exact figures.
Estimated running cost
£1.08 / day
- Per hour
- 27.0p
- Per day (4h)
- £1.08
- Per week
- £7.56
- Per month
- £32.83
- Per year
- £394.20
Based on 1000W × 4h/day at 27p per kWh (4.00 kWh/day). Standing charges and appliance thermostat cycling are not included.
Typical UK running costs at a glance
Costs below assume an electricity rate of 27p per kWh (an approximate Great Britain unit rate — use the calculator with your own tariff for exact figures).
| Appliance | Power | Per hour | Typical use | Per day | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desk / tower fan | 45W | 1.2p | 8h | 9.7p | £2.96 |
| Evaporative air cooler | 80W | 2.2p | 8h | 17.3p | £5.25 |
| Dehumidifier | 300W | 8.1p | 8h | 64.8p | £19.70 |
| Window air conditioner | 900W | 24.3p | 4h | 97.2p | £29.55 |
| Portable air conditioner | 1,000W | 27p | 4h | £1.08 | £32.83 |
| Oil-filled radiator | 1,500W | 40.5p | 4h | £1.62 | £49.25 |
| Fan heater | 2,000W | 54p | 3h | £1.62 | £49.25 |
| Tumble dryer | 2,500W | 67.5p | 1 load | 67.5p | £20.52 |
Cheapest ways to stay cool (and warm)
The maths is stark: a fan costs pennies a day, a portable AC costs pounds. If you only need to take the edge off, a fan or evaporative cooler is 10–20× cheaper to run. See our tested picks:
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a fan in the UK?
A typical 45W desk or tower fan costs about 1.2p per hour — roughly 10p a day if run for 8 hours, or under £3 a month at around 27p/kWh. Fans are one of the cheapest ways to stay cool.
How much does it cost to run a portable air conditioner?
A 1,000W portable air conditioner costs around 27p per hour — about £1.08 a day at 4 hours, or roughly £33 a month. That is around 20 times the running cost of a fan, which is why fans and evaporative coolers are far cheaper for mild heat.
Is it cheaper to run a fan or air conditioning?
A fan is dramatically cheaper: about 1–2p per hour versus around 27p per hour for a portable AC — roughly 20× less. Evaporative coolers (about 2p per hour) sit between the two and suit dry heat.
How much does a fan heater cost to run?
A 2,000W fan heater costs about 54p per hour at 27p/kWh — around £1.62 for three hours. Oil-filled radiators draw less continuous power once warm, so often work out cheaper for heating a room over a long period.
How is appliance running cost calculated?
Running cost = (watts ÷ 1000) × hours × unit rate. A 1,000W appliance running for 1 hour uses 1 kWh; at 27p/kWh that is 27p. Your standing charge is billed separately and does not change with usage.
Figures are estimates for guidance only. Actual costs depend on your electricity tariff, appliance model, thermostat cycling and usage. Wattages are typical mid-range values. Enter your own unit rate (shown on your energy bill) for the most accurate result. UKPicks is reader-supported and may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.