Understanding Appliance Running Costs

How to Find Wattage

Check the label on the back or base of the appliance — wattage is usually printed there or in the manual. If listed in kilowatts (kW), multiply by 1000 for watts. A kettle is 2,000–3,000W. A fridge is 150–400W running average. An EV charger (7kW wallbox) is 7,000W.

UK Tariff Rates

The Ofgem price cap sets the unit rate each quarter. As of early 2025 the UK unit rate is around 24–28p/kWh. Check your energy bill's 'unit rate' line for your exact figure. Some tariffs have different day/night rates.

Biggest Energy Users at Home

Electric shower (9,500W), electric hob (2,000W per ring), tumble dryer (2,500W), dishwasher (1,200W per cycle), EV charger (7,000W). These items dominate most household energy bills — understanding their real cost helps prioritise savings.

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