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UK households with electric showers face £115.46 charges from April
Reach Daily Express | March 15, 2026 4:39 AM CST

Households with electric showers could face energy costs of around £115 a year per person from April under the new electricity price cap. Electric showers are among the most energy-intensive appliances in British homes because they heat water instantly using electricity rather than gas from a boiler.

A typical electric shower uses around 9.5kW of power per week, meaning a 10-minute wash consumes about 1.6kWh of electricity. Experts say kitchen appliances can quietly add to electricity bills, with the cost depending on how long they are used and their power rating.

Ofgem is lowering the energy price cap from April 1, meaning Brits will pay less per year for their energy usage.

The energy authority has said that households on a standard variable tariff (default tariff) who pay for their electricity by direct debit will now pay on average24.67pence per kilowatt hour (kWh).

This will have an impact on those with appliances that run often, such as showers which can be used multiple times everyday.

The estimate is based on the current energy price cap and typical appliance wattage, so the overall cost will vary depending on the model and the length of use.

But energy specialists warn that running appliances for extended periods can still add to household bills.

Here is a more detailed breakdown, based on a formula provided by energy experts Bluetti:

(9000 x 1) ÷ 1,000 = 9KWh

24.67 x 9 = 222.03p

The wattage is multiplied by the hours used and divided by 1,000. Presuming an hour's shower time in a week, this brings us to 9KWh. This, multiplied by the new average hourly cost, is 222.03p.

If you are using your electric shower at this rate throughout the year, you would then multiply this single-use cost by 52. This brings us to an annual price of £115.06.

222.03p x 52 = £115.46

Energy experts say the best way to keep costs down is to run appliances only when needed and to choose lower-wattage models where possible.

They also recommend checking appliance specifications before buying, as energy consumption can vary significantly between brands and sizes.

With the energy price cap set to change again in April, households are being urged to stay aware of how much electricity everyday appliances use - including bread makers - to avoid unexpected costs on their energy bills.


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