Households with kettles could be spending more than £70 a year on the appliance via their energy bill when the cost under the current price cap is projected over a year. Kettles are among the most energy-intensive appliances in your kitchen while they are running, though they only use electricity for a short amount of time to boil water for cooking or a cup of tea.
Cost Per Use Under Current Price Cap
Regularly sticking the kettle on is something many do without even thinking. But how much is it costing in the long run? Utilita's Power Price List allows you to pick from a variety of household appliances, with the electricity and gas supplier providing an estimated cost per use under the current Ofgem price cap standard variable tariff.
According to the firm, it costs 5p per use under the current price cap. Under Utilita's calculation for typical use over the course of a year, it comes to an estimated £75.37.
Actual Usage and Environmental Impact
However, actual usage will depend on how much you use it, and may vary between devices. Additionally, while the estimates give you an illustrative sense of the costs the cap represents when projected over a longer period, the maximum limit on unit rates and standard charges is reviewed by the regulator every 3 months and does not remain in place for a full year.
Utilita's tool also allows you to see what the estimated environmental impact of appliances is over time. The firm said: "Utilita has updated its Power Price List – the UK's only live database that translates Ofgem's price cap into the real‑world cost of powering everyday household electrical items."
"The update reflects Ofgem's latest direct debit price cap, effective from July 1."
Appliance Cost Breakdown
"The Power Price List breaks down the cost of running more than 100 common appliances and activities, from heating and cooking to laundry, lighting, entertainment and more."
"The less energy we use, the better it is for the planet," it adds. "That's why the Power Price List also shows how the usage of common electrical items compares to the miles driven by a car – households may be shocked!"
In the case of a kettle, it amounts to the following: miles driven per use 0.20 miles, miles driven per year 295.76 miles.
