UK Gas Appliance Cost Calculator

Multiply the appliance's kW rating by the number of hours used, then multiply by your unit rate (p/kWh). For example, a 4kW gas fire used for 3 hours at 6.24p/kWh costs: 4 x 3 x 6.24 = 74.88p. This calculator automates this process for you.

The kW (kilowatt) rating shows the power consumption of an appliance. You can find it on the appliance's data plate (usually a metal label), in the user manual, or by searching the model number online. A 4kW gas fire uses 4 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of gas for every hour at full power.

Boilers cycle on and off based on demand - they don't run constantly at full power. A combi boiler might only fire for 5-10 minutes per hour for hot water, or longer periods when heating the home. Actual costs depend on insulation, thermostat settings, outdoor temperature, and boiler efficiency. Modern condensing boilers are more efficient than older models.

At January 2025 price cap rates (6.24p/kWh), a typical 4kW gas fire costs approximately 25p per hour to run. A larger 6kW fire costs around 37p per hour. These costs assume the fire runs continuously at full power - actual costs may be lower with thermostatic controls.

A single gas ring uses about 2kW, costing approximately 12p per hour. A full 4-ring hob running all burners at maximum would use about 8kW, costing around 50p per hour. In practice, most cooking uses 1-2 rings at varying power, so typical cooking costs 5-20p per meal.

Currently, yes. At January 2025 rates, gas costs around 6.24p/kWh while electricity costs around 24.50p/kWh - nearly 4 times more expensive per unit. However, electric heat pumps can be 3-4x more efficient than gas boilers, potentially making them cheaper to run despite higher unit rates.