ENERGY · RUNNING COSTS

What a kettle costs to run

On the price cap from 1 October to 31 December 2026, a 3 kW kettle at full power costs 2.6p for 2 minutes, in Great Britain on average and paying by Direct Debit. Put in your own model and region below.

Your region
Today's cap
Real models

Each time it runs

2.6p

At 26.32p a kWh: the cap's Great Britain average on Direct Debit, 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026.

An hour at full power: 79p
A week: 73.7p
A month: £3.20
A year: £38.43

The working

3 kW for 2 minutes uses 0.1 kWh at full power.
0.1 kWh × 26.32p a kWh (Great Britain average, Direct Debit, VAT included) = 2.6p each time.
28 times a week is 73.7p; × 52.14 weeks = £38.43 a year, or £3.20 a month.

The standing charge (54.83p a day here) isn't in these figures: you pay it whatever you run. On Economy 7 or another time-of-use tariff, the cost depends on when it runs and your supplier's rates.

Real models

Ratings from each maker's or retailer's page. Great Britain average, Direct Debit.

Model	Rating	An hour
Russell Hobbs Inspire kettle 24360, 1.7 litres	3 kW	79p
Swan 1.7 Litre Jug Kettle (SK18121)	2.2 kW	57.9p
Russell Hobbs Travel Kettle 23840, 0.85 litres	1 kW	26.3p

Where you live

A 3 kW kettle at full power, on Direct Debit. The Great Britain average is 27.80p a kWh paying on receipt of a bill, and 25.52p on prepayment.

Region	A kWh	Each time	A year
Great Britain average	26.32p	2.6p	£38.43
Eastern England	26.61p	2.7p	£38.86
East Midlands	25.36p	2.5p	£37.02
London	26.60p	2.7p	£38.83
Merseyside and North Wales	27.86p	2.8p	£40.68
West Midlands	25.60p	2.6p	£37.38
North East England	25.46p	2.5p	£37.16
North West England	26.49p	2.6p	£38.67
Southern England	26.47p	2.6p	£38.64
South East England	26.88p	2.7p	£39.24
South Wales	26.55p	2.7p	£38.77
South West England	26.58p	2.7p	£38.81
Yorkshire	25.60p	2.6p	£37.38
South Scotland	26.11p	2.6p	£38.11
North Scotland	26.35p	2.6p	£38.47

A year is 2 minutes a time, 28 times a week, from Citizens Advice: save money using your electrical appliances.

What it uses

The power in watts or kilowatts on the label, usually on the base, or in the manual. Some makers give a range, such as Swan's 1,850 to 2,200 W: use the top of it.

Does it always use this much? No. A kettle heats at its full rated power until it switches itself off at the boil (kettles such as Swan's have an automatic cut-off), so the time it runs is what changes the cost.

Spending less

Only boil the water you need; Citizens Advice suggests measuring with a mug or using the fill line. (Energy Saving Trust: Quick tips to save energy)
Use the cup markings if your kettle has them. Russell Hobbs says boiling one cup instead of a litre in its rapid-boil zone could use up to 66% less energy (the maker's own claim). (Russell Hobbs UK: Classic Compact Kettle 24990)
If you cook on an electric hob, boil the water in the kettle first: Energy Saving Trust says that saves energy and money. (Energy Saving Trust, Air fryer vs oven: which cooking appliance is cheaper to run?)

Questions

How much does a kettle cost to run?

A 3 kW kettle at full power costs 2.6p for 2 minutes at the price cap's 26.32p a kWh (Great Britain average, Direct Debit, from 1 October to 31 December 2026). For 2 minutes a time, 28 times a week, that's £38.43 a year. The calculator above takes your own model, use, region and how you pay.

Is it cheaper to boil a kettle or use the hob?

It depends on the hob. Energy Saving Trust says with an electric hob you save energy and money by boiling the water in the kettle first; with a gas hob the kettle uses less energy but won't save money, because electricity costs more per unit than gas.

Does overfilling the kettle waste electricity?

Yes. Energy Saving Trust says boiling more water than you need takes more time and energy.

How long does a kettle take to boil a cup of water?

Russell Hobbs says its 3000W Inspire kettle boils one cup (235 ml) in 45 seconds; its Classic Compact kettle takes just over 50 seconds.