How much does it cost to run a gas oven? (2026 price cap)
At the GB-average Ofgem price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026, a gas oven rated at 2.8kW costs 22p an hour to run and around £61.09 a year assuming 45 minutes of cooking a day.
Per hour
22p
Per typical use
17p
Per day
17p
Per week
£1.17
Per year
£61.09
Typical rating and how we worked this out
This page uses a typical rating of 2.8kW for a gas oven; published figures for this appliance range from 2.3kW to 3.4kW. Gas ovens are rated by gas input on the appliance data plate, commonly 2.3–3.4kW; this page uses a 2.8kW mid-range figure. Because gas is priced well below electricity per kWh, a gas oven usually costs less to run than an equivalent electric one despite the higher kW rating. The running cost follows the same formula used across this site: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × unit rate. Typical use is modelled as 45 minutes of cooking a day, which is how the per-day, per-week and per-year figures above were calculated — see the cost-to-run calculator to change the wattage, hours or region yourself.
Rate used: Ofgem price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, GB average gas — 7.97p/kWh (incl. 5% VAT).
Cost by region
Same appliance, same use — ranked most to least expensive by region under the price cap:
| Region | Gas p/kWh | Cost per hour | Typical annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern England | 8.17 | 23p | £62.62 |
| London | 8.15 | 23p | £62.47 |
| South Western England | 8.12 | 23p | £62.24 |
| Southern Wales | 8.09 | 23p | £62.01 |
| South Eastern England | 8.05 | 23p | £61.70 |
| North Eastern England | 7.92 | 22p | £60.71 |
| Eastern England | 7.91 | 22p | £60.63 |
| Merseyside and Northern Wales | 7.91 | 22p | £60.63 |
| West Midlands | 7.90 | 22p | £60.55 |
| Yorkshire | 7.90 | 22p | £60.55 |
| Northern Scotland | 7.87 | 22p | £60.32 |
| Southern Scotland | 7.87 | 22p | £60.32 |
| North Western England | 7.86 | 22p | £60.25 |
| East Midlands | 7.82 | 22p | £59.94 |
| Great Britain average | 7.97 | 22p | £61.09 |
East Midlands is cheapest at £59.94 a year; Southern England is most expensive at £62.62 a year — a gap of £2.68 for identical use.
How a gas oven compares with similar appliances
Ranked by typical annual cost in kitchen, GB average:
- gas oven — £61.09 a year (this page)
- electric oven — £151 a year
- American-style fridge freezer — £150 a year
- fridge freezer — £106 a year
- electric (ceramic) hob — £106 a year
- induction hob — £96.07 a year
Three practical ways to cut the cost
- Keep the door seal clean and intact — a worn seal lets heat escape and lengthens cooking time
- Use a heavy, dark roasting tin — it absorbs radiant heat faster than a light reflective one
- Turn the oven off a few minutes before the dish is done; residual heat finishes the job
FAQs
- How much does it cost to run a gas oven for an hour?
- 22p at the GB-average rate (7.97p/kWh, 2.8kW). One typical use — 45 minutes of cooking a day — costs closer to 17p.
- How much does a gas oven cost to run per year?
- Around £61.09 a year at the GB-average rate, assuming 45 minutes of cooking a day — about £1.17 a week.
- Which UK region is cheapest to run a gas oven in?
- East Midlands, at £59.94 a year, against £62.62 in Southern England — £2.68 apart for identical use, purely from the regional rate.
- Does the exact wattage of my gas oven change the cost much?
- Yes — ratings range 2.3kW–3.4kW, so the top of that range costs about 1.5x the bottom. This page uses 2.8kW; check your own rating plate.
- Is it cheaper to run on electricity instead?
- The electric oven costs around £151 a year for comparable use, against £61.09 here. Gas is priced well below electricity per kWh, so it's often cheaper despite a higher kW rating — see the electric oven page.
Sources
- Gas Safe Register — gas cooker and hob appliance guide — wattage and usage figures for this appliance.
- Ofgem — Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges (regional tables, read 12 September 2026).
Related
- Cost-to-run calculator and full A–Z — check any appliance or enter a custom wattage.
- Energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 — every region, every payment method.
- Back-billing calculator — if a bill for this or any appliance looks like it covers too many months.
- Free bill audit — if your overall energy costs look high regardless of any one appliance.
Send us one bill. We'll send back every overcharge — and the cheapest legitimate replacement.
Whether you run a Mayfair restaurant group or rent a flat in Salford, the audit is the same and the fee is the same: nothing, unless we save you money.