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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Induction Cooktop in the UK? (2026)
Induction heats the pan directly, so about 85 to 90 percent of the electricity ends up in the food, compared with around 70 percent for a radiant electric hob and 40 percent for gas. Per meal it is the cheapest way to cook on a hob.
A typical induction cooktop (1,800 W) costs £0.47 per hour, or about £14.04 per month at 1 hours a day in United Kingdom. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (1,200 W) | £0.31 | £0.31 | £9.36 | £113.88 |
| Typical (1,800 W) | £0.47 | £0.47 | £14.04 | £170.82 |
| High (3,600 W) | £0.94 | £0.94 | £28.08 | £341.64 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 1 h/day ≈ 657 kWh per year.
In the UK, with electricity at £0.26 per kWh (source: Ofgem price cap 1 Jul–30 Sep 2026, 2026-07), a typical induction cooktop costs £0.47 per hour and about £170.82 per year at 1 hours a day. Each £1.00 of electricity buys roughly 2.1 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a induction cooktop
- Use flat-bottomed pans that match the ring size.
- Put a lid on. Boiling water with a lid takes about half the energy.
- Use the boost function for bringing water up to temperature, then drop to a low setting.
In standby it draws about 1 W, which adds roughly 9 kWh (£2.28) per year if it is never unplugged.
Frequently asked questions
Is induction cheaper to run than gas?
It uses less energy, but gas is often cheaper per unit, so the bill can be similar. Induction wins on speed and safety.
How much does it cost to boil water on induction?
About 0.1 kWh per litre, comparable to an electric kettle.
Do induction cooktops use electricity when off?
About 1 watt for the touch controls.
Compare with
Cost by region
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