Households in the UK who enjoy toast may see their electricity bills rise by approximately £9.53 per year starting July 1, according to calculations by The Express. This increase follows Ofgem's announcement of a 13% rise in the energy price cap for the period from July 1 to September 30, 2026.
Understanding the Energy Price Cap
The energy price cap is the maximum rate per unit and standing charge that suppliers can bill customers on default tariffs. It applies to those not on fixed-rate deals. Ofgem attributes the hike to higher wholesale gas prices, driven by ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly the US and Israel's strikes on Iran in late February, which have caused fuel and other costs to soar.
While the cap increase is largely due to gas prices, electricity costs have also risen by about 5%. From July 1, customers 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 the current 24.67p per kWh.
How Much Does a Toaster Cost to Run?
Toasters are a breakfast staple, but they add to electricity costs over time. A typical toast cycle lasts 2-3 minutes, and most budget models use around 1,000 watts. Assuming six minutes of use per day (two rounds), the Electricity Cost Calculator estimates the following:
- Under the current cap (24.67p per kWh): approximately £0.03 per day, £0.75 per month, or £9.01 per year.
- Under the new cap (26.11p per kWh): approximately £0.03 per day, £0.79 per month, or £9.53 per year.
These figures are illustrative and vary based on usage. The annualised estimate provides a sense of costs, but the cap is reviewed quarterly and may change.
Additional Considerations
Households should also factor in the daily standing charge for electricity, which will decrease slightly to 57.19p per day from July 1. To avoid price cap fluctuations, consumers can consider switching to a fixed-rate deal, which offers protection from global shocks over a set period.
