UK households using hairdryers may see an additional £18.12 on their annual electricity bills starting July 1, as the energy price cap rises. The Express calculated this cost based on average usage under the new cap.
Price Cap Increase Details
In late May, energy regulator Ofgem announced a 13% increase in the energy price cap for July 1 to September 30, 2026. This cap applies to customers on default tariffs and sets maximum rates per unit and standing charges. Ofgem attributed the rise to higher wholesale gas prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. While gas prices surged, electricity costs also rose by about 5%.
Impact on Electricity Bills
From July 1, households in England, Wales, and Scotland on standard variable tariffs paying via Direct Debit will face an average of 26.11p per kilowatt hour (kWh), up from 24.67p per kWh under the current April cap. This means higher electricity bills, prompting many to scrutinize appliance costs.
Hairdryer Usage and Costs
Hairdryers, though not heavy consumers, add to costs over time. Sam Villa, a hairdressing education firm, suggests blow-drying every three to five days: 5-15 minutes for short hair, 20-45 minutes for longer hair. Using a baseline of 20 minutes per blow-dry twice weekly, Citizens Advice's electricity cost calculator estimates 33p per week (£1.43 monthly) under the current cap, totaling £17.16 annually. Under the July cap, this rises to 35p weekly (£1.51 monthly), or £18.12 over 12 months.
Actual costs vary by usage. The cap is reviewed quarterly and does not lock in rates for a full year. The daily standing charge for electricity will decrease slightly to 57.19p from July 1.
Protecting Against Price Hikes
Households can shield themselves by switching to fixed-rate deals, which offer stability against global energy shocks over a set period.
