Top 10 household appliances that use the most electricity revealed — the results might surprise you

A new tool, designed to help households better understand the running costs of their household electrical items has been launched by Utilita Energy, a pay-as-you-go smart energy provider.

Utilita Energy revealed that 7 out of 10 households remain uncertain about the actual costs of operating everyday appliances, leading to them being more negatively affected by energy price rises. To help combat this, their Power Price List provides a breakdown of how much the most common household appliances cost to run per use and each year, aiming to empower consumers to make smarter energy choices.

Here, we reveal the top 10 energy-hungry and subsequently costly appliances to run, according to Utilita Energy's data.

What is the Power Price List?

The Power Price List study was developed by Utilita Energy's team of energy-efficiency experts over a two-year period, in order to give households insight into the costs of their most-used appliances.

It aims to help UK households better understand the costs of running commonly used household appliances and offer energy-saving tips energy-saving tips.

The study involved gathering and analysing data to estimate the energy consumption and financial costs of 76 household electrical items, broken down by usage metrics such as cost per use, cost per minute, cost per cycle, and standby mode costs, all calculated against the latest energy price rates.

The 10 home appliances that use the most electricity in 2024

If you have electric panel radiators, you might be disappointed to hear that they top the Power Price List, although the full list does include items from every room in the house and even the garden. The top ten most costly are as follows:

1. Electric panel radiators: Average kWh/Year: 1560.94 - Average £/Year: £452.68
2. PC power supply: Average kWh/Year: 1333.33 - Average £/Year: £386.67
3. Oil-filled radiators: Average kWh/Year: 1237.65 - Average £/Year: £358.92
4. Towel rail: Average kWh/Year: 1138.8 - Average £/Year: £330.25
5. Tumble dryer: Average kWh/Year: 479.50 - Average £/Year: £139.05
6. Electric cooker: Average kWh/Year: 375.85 - Average £/Year: £109.00
7. American fridge freezer: Average kWh/Year: 374.63 - Average £/Year: £108.64
8. Boiling water tap: Average kWh/Year: 374.12 - Average £/Year: £108.50
9. Dishwasher: Average kWh/Year: 227.50 - Average £/Year: £65.98
10. Washing machine: Average kWh/Year: 204.40 - Average: £/Year £59.28

How to make smarter energy choices

Bill Bullen, Founder and CEO of Utilita Energy, highlights the importance of making energy-conscious decisions as the UK enters colder months.

“Every penny matters," says Bullen, "and our Power Price List aims to help consumers understand where their money is going".

Simple changes, such as reducing standby power, using appliances more efficiently, or replacing energy-hungry items with more sustainable alternatives, can lead to significant savings.

Ella Jones, Utilita Energy's Sustainability Manager, adds that the Power Price List will be regularly updated to reflect new data, offering consumers a practical tool to navigate the rising energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

For more information, households can access the Power Price List tool on Utilita Energy’s website, enabling them to make their energy spend go further and positively impact both their wallets and the environment.