About Cost To Run
Cost To Run is an independent UK site that answers one question clearly: what does it actually cost to run this, at today's prices?
Why this site exists
Most articles about appliance and heating costs use one fixed price that goes out of date every three months. This site loads today's gas and electricity rates for your region every time you visit, so every number stays current. It's run by an independent UK writer and isn't linked to any energy supplier, installer or appliance brand.
How we calculate
Electricity: cost = kWh × price per kWh, where kWh = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours. Gas heating: cost = kWh of gas × gas price, plus the daily standing charge. Heat pump: kWh of heat ÷ efficiency (SPF) × electricity price. Monthly figures use 365 ÷ 12 days.
Where prices come from
We load current unit rates and standing charges for your region from Octopus Energy's public tariff data, for its standard variable tariff (Flexible Octopus), paying by Direct Debit. Standard variable tariffs are limited by the Ofgem price cap, so rates change when the cap does, on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October. "UK average" is the average of all 14 regions. If rates can't load, we use the Ofgem cap averages from 1 October 2026: electricity 26.32p per kWh and 54.83p a day, gas 7.97p per kWh and 29.68p a day (Ofgem price cap via Uswitch).
Key figures and sources
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Typical household gas use | 9,500 kWh a year | Ofgem typical consumption values |
| Real-world condensing boiler efficiency | about 82–85% | Government in-situ boiler study |
| Real-world air source heat pump efficiency | median 2.8 (2.44 on the coldest days) | Energy Systems Catapult (Electrification of Heat) |
| Appliance power ratings | typical ranges | National Energy Action |
| Tumble dryer energy per load | 2.2–5.3 kWh | Marks Electrical |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants | £7,500 for heat pumps | Energy Saving Trust |
Spotted a mistake?
Appliances vary, and we'd rather be corrected than wrong. Get in touch.