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How much does it cost to run an electric oven?

Running a typical electric oven costs about 39p for an hour’s cooking — roughly £81 a year at about four hours a week — at the current price-cap electricity rate (about 26p a unit, GB average, Jul–Sep 2026). Small appliances like an air fryer or microwave often cost less for the same job.

• The typical numbers. An electric oven is usually rated around 2–2.5 kW, but it doesn’t draw that the whole time — the element cycles on and off to hold the temperature. So an hour’s cooking uses roughly 1.5 kWh, about 39p at 26p a unit.
• Preheating and size matter. A long preheat and a big oven heating empty space both add cost. Fan ovens heat faster and more evenly, so they usually need less preheating.
• Little appliances can be cheaper. For a small meal, an air fryer, microwave or toaster oven heats a much smaller space, so it often uses less energy than firing up the big oven. What uses the most electricity →

How to cut it

• Batch-cook. Fill the oven when it’s on — cook two or three things at once, or a big batch to reheat later, so one heat-up does more work.
• Skip the long preheat. Most dishes are fine going in as the oven warms; only baking really needs a full preheat.
• Use the smallest tool for the job. An air fryer or microwave for a single portion beats heating the whole oven.
• Turn it off early. The oven holds heat for a few minutes, so you can switch it off before the end and let it finish on residual warmth.

That’s one appliance. To see what’s really driving your whole bill — your rates against the price cap, your direct debit against your real usage — check it free in about 30 seconds, with nothing saved.