How much does an electric hob cost to run?

One meal costs about 19.7p

A typical electric hob costs about 19.7p per meal to run. At 7 meals a week that is £1.38 a week, or £71.85 a year, based on 1,500 W for 30 minutes (0.75 kWh) at 26.32p per kWh.

Adjust for your electric hob

Power1,500 W

This is an average across the rings you use during one meal, not the maximum. Induction hobs reach 2 to 3.7 kW on boost but spend most of the time lower.

Time per meal30 minutes

Meals per week7

Electricity rate (pence per kWh)

Set to the Ofgem price cap average. Use the rate on your own bill if it differs.

Energy per meal0.75 kWh

Cost per meal19.7p

Cost per week£1.38

Cost per year£71.85

Worked example

1,500 W is 1.5 kW. Running for 30 minutes uses 1.5 × 0.5 = 0.75 kWh. At 26.32p per kWh that costs 19.7p.

Cooking on the hob for half an hour every evening costs £71.85 a year, and each minute you save on a meal is worth about 0.7p.

How to cut the cost

Put a lid on the pan, match the pan to the ring, and turn the heat down as soon as the water boils. Boiling the kettle first and pouring that into the pan also saves time on the hob.

Questions

Is an induction hob cheaper to run than a ceramic one?

Usually, yes. Induction heats the pan directly, so less energy is lost to the air around it, and food reaches temperature faster.

How much does it cost to cook a meal on a hob?

At 26.32p per kWh, half an hour at 1,500 W costs 19.7p. Change the power and time above for your own cooking.

Other appliances

Electricity rate: Ofgem energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, Great Britain average, Direct Debit, default tariff: 26.32p per kWh. Your own tariff and region may differ, so change the rate above to match your bill. Appliance figures are typical estimates; your appliance's energy label or manual is more accurate. Last checked 2026-11-03. Next review: January 2027, when Ofgem announces the next quarter's cap.