With winter coming and energy bills set to rise by 2% from October 1st, many of us are looking for ways to trim our consumption without sacrificing our comfort. While heating accounts for the biggest chunk of our energy bills—around 40% of the total—it’s worth examining which everyday appliances cost the most to run. Some are surprisingly expensive, while others are more economical than you might expect.

The Energy Guzzlers

If you’re looking to make the biggest impact on your energy bills, start with the appliances that generate heat—these are consistently the most expensive to run.

Electric showers top the list as the most energy-intensive appliance in many homes, costing around £2.20 per hour to run. With typical usage of 144 hours annually, that’s roughly £315 per year just for hot showers. The simple act of cutting shower time to four minutes or less could dramatically reduce this cost—there are plenty of four-minute playlists on streaming services to help you keep track.

Your electric oven comes in second, costing approximately £1.10 per cooking cycle. For families cooking daily, this easily adds up to over £400 annually. This is where considering alternatives becomes worthwhile.

Air fryers have surged in popularity, and for good reason—they use significantly less energy than standard ovens at £0.68 per cooking cycle. For households using one daily, annual costs hover around £250, representing considerable savings compared to oven cooking.

Portable heaters might seem like an economical way to warm a single room, but at £0.49 per hour and with typical usage of 487 hours yearly, they cost around £238 to run. Making your home winter-ready through proper insulation and draught-proofing often proves more cost-effective than relying on these energy-hungry devices.

Even your hair dryer, despite brief usage, packs a punch at £0.49 per hour. With average annual use of 122 hours, expect to pay around £60 per year for those perfect blowouts.

The Middle Ground

Tumble dryers are among the more energy-hungry appliances. Used for an average of 390 hours annually, they typically cost around £131 per year. Where possible, air-drying clothes or using heated airers can significantly reduce this expense.

Your morning coffee machine habit costs more than you might think. With average use of 263 hours annually, expect to spend around £71 on your daily caffeine fix. French press, anyone?

Interestingly, dishwashers prove surprisingly economical at £0.14 per hour, costing around £60 annually despite 439 hours of average use. This is often more economical than hand washing, particularly when you factor in hot water usage. Choosing an A-rated dishwasher over an E-rated model could save around £210 over its 11-year lifetime.

Washing machines, despite substantial use averaging 494 hours yearly, cost only around £38 annually—largely thanks to improved efficiency and cooler temperature washing.

The surprising ones

Microwaves are champions of energy efficiency at just £0.04 per cooking cycle. Even with multiple daily uses, annual costs typically stay under £50.

Electric blankets, despite running for around 2,190 hours during colder months, cost approximately £89 annually—far less than heating entire rooms with portable heaters.

Modern fridge-freezers, though running continuously, typically cost just £57 yearly for energy-efficient models. The energy rating makes a substantial difference—an A-rated model could save around £360 over its 17-year lifetime compared to an E-rated equivalent.

Your television, averaging 2,006 hours of annual use, costs roughly £41 per year—about 2p per hour of viewing.

Smart Usage Strategies

Understanding these costs enables smarter appliance choices. When cooking smaller meals, using an air fryer instead of heating an entire oven makes financial sense. For beverages, only boiling the water you need in your kettle could save around £10 annually.

Consider cooking methods strategically—hob cooking costs just £0.11 per use for electric or £0.06 for gas, making it significantly cheaper than oven use for suitable meals.

Energy ratings matter enormously for long-term appliances. When replacement time comes, the difference between A-rated and lower-rated models can save hundreds of pounds over their lifetimes.

The timing couldn’t be better to audit your appliance usage, from shorter showers to strategic cooking choices, every energy-conscious decision helps keep more money in your pocket.

Information compiled from Energy Saving Trust data