How much does it cost to run a kettle?

Water pouring from a kettle into tea cup

(Image credit: Getty images)

last updated 2 November 2022

Energy bills are sky high, so if you’re trying to budget and keep energy costs low then it’s worthwhile knowing how much does it cost to run a kettle?

The kettle is a popular appliance in the kitchen, especially if you’re working from home. But it can also be a costly one, depending on how you use it.

We look at what your beloved kettle is costing you and how much you are paying to make that cup of tea - and indeed, how to save money when boiling water.

How much it costs to run a kettle? We've done crunched the numbers so you don't have to.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RUN A KETTLE?

How much a kettle costs to run “will depend on a variety of things such as what kettle you’re using and your electricity tariff,” says a spokesperson from kettle brand, Russell Hobbs.

An average 3kw kettle runs for around 45 seconds to make a cup of tea. Under the Energy Price Guarantee unit rate of 0.34p per kWh that came into effect from 1 October, here’s how much it costs to run a kettle, according to Uswitch (opens in new tab):

It costs 1.56p to boil 300ml of water (a large mug full)
It costs 7.8p to boil a full kettle of water (1.5L)

So if you were to boil the kettle for two cups of tea everyday, that would cost you around 22p a week, under the assumption that you only boil enough water for a full cup (300ml), and not a full kettle.

Around three quarters of people boil the kettle with more water than what they really need according to a government study (opens in new tab).

Uswitch (opens in new tab) emphasises if you only boil the water you need rather than overfilling it, you could save £11 a year on your energy bills.

Justina Miltienyte, head of policy at Uswitch.com, said: “Although the savings you make by filling your kettle up with just enough water for each drink only represent a few pence, this all adds up over the course of a year.”

IS IT CHEAPER TO BOIL WATER ON THE HOB OR IN A KETTLE?

Boiling water on the hob can be cheaper than boiling water in an electric kettle if you own a gas hob, because gas is cheaper than electricity, at 10.3p per kWh.

If you have an electric hob, the cost of boiling water will be similar to boiling in an electric kettle.

HOW CAN I CUT COSTS WHEN BOILING A KETTLE?

Unplug the kettle. When you’re not using the kettle, switch it off by the plug and unplug it to save on your energy bill, even if it is just a small amount. When you leave the kettle plugged in, it still uses a small amount of energy.

Descale the kettle. When limescale builds up in the kettle, it doesn’t work as effectively which means it will take more energy to heat properly. It’s advised to descale your kettle every four to eight weeks.

Does your kettle have a removable filter? If it does, it’s a good and easy way to descale your kettle to ensure the kettle is working to its full potential.

Don’t keep reboiling the kettle. A spokesperson from Russell Hobbs says: “If you’ve left the kettle for a few minutes after it’s switched off, it’s probably still hot enough to make tea – even after several minutes, as everyday breakfast tea is best brewed anywhere between 90 and 98°C. So don’t flick that switch to re-boil two minutes later.”

Look out for energy cutting features. When buying a new kettle check if it has measurements marked so you know how much water you’re filling and to avoid overfilling it. Also notice the minimum fill amount of the kettle, as some kettles have a decent one, whereas others go quite high, resulting in you overfilling the kettle for one cup of tea. “Most Russell Hobbs kettles have a handy rapid boil widget which shows how much water is needed for 1/2/3 cups,” the spokesperson from Russel Hobbs adds.

Only boil what you need. As mentioned, you can cut costs just by boiling what you need rather than a full kettle.

Vaishali graduated in journalism from Leeds University. She has gained experience writing local stories around Leeds and Leicester, which includes writing for a university publication and Leicester Mercury.

She has also done some marketing and copywriting for businesses.

When she is not writing about personal finance, Vaishali likes to travel and she's a foodie.