Appliance Running Costs 2025

Appliance running costs 2025: From 1 October 2025, the UK energy price cap rises to £1,755 a year for a typical dual-fuel household, an increase of about £35 per year (just under £3 per month).

Electricity now costs 26.35p per kWh with a daily standing charge of 53.68p, while gas costs 6.29p per kWh with a daily charge of 34.03p.

Find out how much your appliance running costs will rise under the new rates.

Introduction

Managing household expenses involves understanding the costs of running household appliances.

This guide provides a full summary of appliance running costs in the UK based on the energy price cap effective from 1 October 2025.

But before we dive into appliance costs, there’s one factor that shapes everything: the Energy Price Cap…

The Energy Price Cap

The energy price cap limits the maximum annual amount energy companies can charge customers on standard variable and default energy tariffs for a medium-usage household.

Set by Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, the cap is reviewed quarterly.

From 1 October 2025, the energy price cap for a typical UK household using electricity and gas will rise to £1,755 per year.

This is an increase of around 2%, adding £35 per year, or just under £3 per month, to the average household bill.

For customers on a standard variable tariff paying by Direct Debit, the average cost of electricity is now 26.35p per kWh, with a daily standing charge of 53.68p.

Gas customers will pay an average of 6.29p per kWh, with a daily standing charge of 34.03p. These figures reflect the average rates across England, Scotland, and Wales and include VAT.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting—how these rates actually affect what you pay to run everyday appliances…

Understanding Appliance Running Costs

Several factors affect appliance running costs:

• Energy Costs: The cost of electricity or gas determines running expenses.
• Energy Efficiency: Appliances with higher energy ratings consume less electricity or gas for the same output as lower-rated ones.
• Usage Patterns: The frequency and duration of appliance use impact running costs. These patterns vary by household.

The True Cost of Running Your Appliances From October 2025

But unit rates aren’t the whole story—standing charges also play a big role in your overall bill…

How Standing Charges Affect Your Energy Bill

Alongside the unit rates for gas and electricity, every household pays a fixed daily standing charge.

This fee covers the cost of maintaining the energy network and keeping your home connected, regardless of how much energy you use.

Under the October–December 2025 price cap, the standing charge adds up to over £320 per year for an average dual-fuel household.

This means even if you use very little energy, you will still face these baseline costs.

So if you can’t escape the standing charge, where can you save? The answer lies in how you use your appliances…

Strategies For Reducing Appliance Running Costs

Investing in energy-efficient appliances is one strategy to reduce running costs, but it’s not the only one.

For instance, an A+++ fridge saves around £22 per year compared to a similar A+ model. In the same way, an A+++ washing machine saves about £17 per year compared to an A+ model.

Regular maintenance and cleaning also help extend the life of your appliances and keep them at peak performance, reducing the energy they consume.

Moreover, smart technologies and home automation systems reduce energy costs.

These technologies set appliances to run during off-peak times when electricity is cheaper or ensure appliances are turned off when not in use.

Consider the following energy-saving tips and practices…

Fridge Freezers

• Ensure the fridge-freezer is not placed near a heat source like an oven or radiator, and ensure enough space for air to circulate around it.
• Keep the fridge and freezer full, reducing the energy needed to cool the space.
• Defrost your freezer on a set schedule to keep it running at peak performance.

Ovens (Electric and Gas)

• Only preheat when necessary and for the shortest time possible.
• Use leftover heat for the last few minutes of baking.
• Keep the oven door closed as much as possible to prevent heat loss.

Dishwashers

• Run the dishwasher only when full.
• If available, use an eco-mode or energy-saving setting.
• Air-dry dishes instead of using the drying function.

Microwaves

• Use the microwave for small and quick heating tasks instead of the oven or stove, as it uses less energy.
• Defrost food in the fridge instead of using the microwave’s defrost function.

Kettles

• Only boil as much water as needed.
• Descalcify your kettle on schedule to keep it working at peak performance.

Washing Machines

• Wash clothes at lower temperatures.
• Only run the machine with full loads.
• Use eco-mode or energy-saving settings if available.

Tumble Dryers

• Dry clothes naturally when possible.
• Spin-dry clothes well before putting them in the tumble dryer to reduce drying time.
• Clean the filter often to maintain peak performance.

Dehumidifiers

• Only use when necessary.
• Keep windows and doors closed when the dehumidifier is running.

Fans

• Use fans instead of air conditioning units where possible.
• Only use when in the room – fans cool people, not spaces.

Gas Boilers

• Service your Boiler to maximise performance.
• If your Boiler’s over 10 years old consider replacing it.
• Insulate your home well to reduce the need for heating.
• Install a programmable thermostat to control when the heating comes on and goes off.
• Remember, while using appliances efficiently reduces your energy consumption, the most efficient appliance is the one that’s off. So, always turn off appliances when they are not in use.

No matter how efficient your habits are, some appliances simply cost more to run than others.

That’s where energy ratings come in…

Energy Ratings & Purchasing New Appliances

When purchasing energy-efficient appliances, there are several factors to consider in order to make the best decision. Here are some tips:

Understand Energy Efficiency Labels

Look at the energy efficiency labels on the appliances. These labels show how much energy the appliance will use, shaping how much it will cost to run.

Appliance energy ratings are labels which provide information about the energy efficiency of an appliance.

These ratings are represented as a scale, where different levels represent different levels of energy efficiency.

In the UK, the energy efficiency ratings used to range from A+++ (most efficient) to D (least efficient).

However, to reduce confusion due to the multiple ‘+’ signs and to leave room for newer, more efficient models, a new scale from A to G was introduced in March 2021. A is the most efficient, and G is the least efficient.

The energy label also includes additional information, such as:

• Energy consumption: Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, this shows how much energy the appliance uses.
• Volume: For fridges and freezers, this shows the internal capacity.
• Noise: Measured in decibels (dB), this shows how much noise the appliance generates.
• Water consumption: This shows how much water the appliance uses per cycle for washing machines and dishwashers.

Purchasing appliances with better energy ratings (closer to ‘A’) saves you money on your energy bills and reduces your carbon footprint.

Always consider the energy efficiency of an appliance when making a purchase decision, even if more efficient models are more expensive upfront.

Over the appliance’s lifetime, the energy savings often outweigh the higher initial cost.

Choose the Right Size

Buy appliances which fit your needs. Larger appliances usually consume more energy. For example, if you’re a small family, you don’t need a massive fridge-freezer, and a smaller, more efficient model serves you just as well.

Consider the Total Cost

Consider the total cost of owning the appliance, not just the purchase price. This total cost includes the purchase price plus the cost of operating the appliance throughout its lifetime. An appliance with a higher purchase price but lower running costs is often cheaper in the long run.

Look at the Features

Some features of appliances lead to increased energy use. Consider whether you need these features and whether you will use them. If not, choosing a simpler model saves energy.

Look for Variable Settings

Look for appliances with variable settings, such as a fridge which allows you to set different temperatures for different compartments or a washing machine with eco-modes. This lets you change the energy use based on your actual needs.

Read Reviews

Before buying, read reviews from other customers. They often share real-world experiences about the appliance’s performance and energy consumption.

Remember, the most energy-efficient appliance is the one which best meets your needs while using the least amount of energy.

Always take the time to compare different models and choose the one which fits your lifestyle and budget while saving the most energy.

So, what’s the bottom line after all these numbers?

Turn Knowledge Into Lower Energy Bills

We hope this guide has given you a clear picture of what your appliances really cost under the new energy price cap.

When you understand those running costs, you’re in control. You can make smarter buying choices, cut waste, and take charge of your energy use.

Energy efficiency isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the key to shrinking your bills. Choosing efficient appliances, using smart tech, and building energy-saving habits all add up.

So take a closer look at how much power your appliances are using.

Knowledge isn’t just power. In this case, it’s less power — and more money left in your pocket.

Hi, I’m Terry, the founder and owner of TM Hughes & Son Gas Services

Please get in touch to book an appointment or receive a free, no-obligation quote

Call – 01245 830075

Email – info@tmhughesandson.uk