How much does it cost per year?

With normal use all year it uses about 1,700 kWh a year: about $306 · £442 at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh.

Set the thermostat to 50–55 °C instead of maximum: less heat loss and less scale. Use a timer to heat water at the right hours, or when your solar panels produce.

🚿 Electric water heater

How much electricity does an electric water heater use per year?

Yearly electric water heater consumption by household size, running cost and savings with a heat pump water heater.

Typical use

1,700 kWh/year

Per month

$25.50 · £36.833

Per year · 1,700 kWh

$306 · £442

With normal use all year, electricity at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh all-in.

An electric water heater is often the biggest consumer in the home: about 1,700 kWh a year for a household of three, more than the fridge, washing machine and TV together.

Part of it is lost keeping water hot when you’re not using it (about 1 kWh a day for an 80-litre tank). A heat pump water heater makes the same hot water with about a third of the energy.

Consumption compared

Type	Usage	kWh/year	Cost/year
1 person	800 kWh/year	800	$144 · £208
2 people	1,250 kWh/year	1,250	$225 · £325
3 people	1,700 kWh/year	1,700	$306 · £442
4 people	2,100 kWh/year	2,100	$378 · £546
Heat pump water heater, 3 people	600 kWh/year	600	$108 · £156

Yearly cost with normal use all year.

Work out your cost

Consumption from the labelkWh/yearElectricity price$/kWh

Per month: $25.50
Per year: $306
Energy per year: 1,700 kWh

The price is a typical all-in figure for your country: replace it with yours (bill total ÷ kWh).

How to use less

Set the thermostat to 50–55 °C instead of maximum: less heat loss and less scale.
Use a timer to heat water at the right hours, or when your solar panels produce.
A low-flow shower head cuts hot water use by 30–40%.

Lower-energy modelsCompare prices and energy labels on AmazonAmazon ↗

FAQ

How much electricity does an electric water heater use per year?: On average about 1,700 kWh a year, from 500 to 3,500 kWh depending on model, energy class and age.
How much does it cost per year?: With normal use all year it uses about 1,700 kWh a year: about $306 · £442 at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh.
How can I reduce it?: Set the thermostat to 50–55 °C instead of maximum: less heat loss and less scale. Use a timer to heat water at the right hours, or when your solar panels produce.

And what does your whole home use?

The calculator estimates heating, hot water and appliances and tells you what to change first.

Run the free calculator →

Consumption compared

How to use less

FAQ

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