How much does it cost to run a electric oven? (2026 price cap)

Typical rating and how we worked this out

This page uses a typical rating of 2.1kW for a electric oven; published figures for this appliance range from 2kW to 3kW. Electric fan ovens are typically rated 2,000–3,000W but cycle the heating element on and off once at temperature, so the average draw over a cook stays close to the rated figure mainly during preheat. 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 electricity — 26.32p/kWh (excl. VAT, removed 1 Oct 2026–31 Mar 2027).

Cost by region

Same appliance, same use — ranked most to least expensive by region under the price cap:

East Midlands is cheapest at £146 a year; Merseyside and Northern Wales is most expensive at £160 a year — a gap of £14.37 for identical use.

How a electric oven compares with similar appliances

Ranked by typical annual cost in kitchen, GB average:

• electric oven — £151 a year (this page)
• American-style fridge freezer — £150 a year
• fridge freezer — £106 a year
• electric (ceramic) hob — £106 a year
• gas oven — £61.09 a year
• induction hob — £96.07 a year

Three practical ways to cut the cost

1. Use the fan setting rather than conventional — fan ovens cook about 20°C cooler for the same result
2. Batch-cook to fill the oven once rather than reheating it for several small dishes
3. Skip preheating for dishes cooking over 40 minutes — the temperature evens out during cooking

FAQs

How much does it cost to run a electric oven for an hour?

55p at the GB-average rate (26.32p/kWh, 2.1kW). One typical use — 45 minutes of cooking a day — costs closer to 41p.

How much does a electric oven cost to run per year?

Around £151 a year at the GB-average rate, assuming 45 minutes of cooking a day — about £2.91 a week.

Which UK region is cheapest to run a electric oven in?

East Midlands, at £146 a year, against £160 in Merseyside and Northern Wales — £14.37 apart for identical use, purely from the regional rate.

Does the exact wattage of my electric oven change the cost much?

Yes — ratings range 2kW–3kW, so the top of that range costs about 1.5x the bottom. This page uses 2.1kW; check your own rating plate.

Is it cheaper to run on gas instead?

The gas oven costs around £61.09 a year for comparable use, against £151 here. Gas is priced well below electricity per kWh, so it's often cheaper despite a higher kW rating — see the gas oven page.

Sources

• Heatable — how much energy do household appliances use — 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.