UK households that rely on slow cookers are facing an increase in running costs from July, with monthly charges estimated at £7.94. This follows the latest energy price cap rise announced by Ofgem, which will take effect from July 1, 2026.
Energy Price Cap Increase
Industry experts had anticipated the rise, which sees the price cap increase from 24.67p per kWh to 26.11p per kWh. This change adds approximately £221 to the annual energy bill for typical households on variable tariffs, bringing it to £1,862. The cap will remain in place until September 30, 2026, before the next quarterly review.
Impact on Appliance Running Costs
The increase affects all appliances, including washing machines, dishwashers, and slow cookers. According to Energy Bot, a typical slow cooker has a wattage of around 200. Appliance experts suggest that slow cookers on a high setting take one to two hours to cook, while low settings can take up to eight hours. Assuming an average daily usage of five hours, the Smart Money Tools price calculator estimates a monthly cost of £7.94, or roughly 26p per day. For those using the appliance every other day, the cost drops to under £4 per month.
Government Response
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband commented on the price cap rise, stating: "The rise in the price cap because of a war we did not choose is deeply unwelcome news for households across the country. We know people were under pressure before this crisis, and that’s why easing that burden is our number one priority." He highlighted measures such as freezing fuel duty, making bus travel free for children in England during August, extending the warm home discount for around six million families, and taking £150 off average energy bills for the years ahead.
This marks the highest energy bills since January 2024, with the previous decrease in April providing temporary relief.
