How much does an electric shower cost to run?
This worked example uses 8,500 W, 0.15 hours on each use day and 365 use days per year. Change any of these inputs in the calculator.
465 kWh/year · 1.27 kWh per use day
Electricity-price sensitivity
| Electricity price | Energy/use day | Annual energy | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15p/kWh | 1.27 kWh/day when used | 465 kWh/year | £70/yr |
| 25p/kWh | 1.27 kWh/day when used | 465 kWh/year | £116/yr |
| 35p/kWh | 1.27 kWh/day when used | 465 kWh/year | £163/yr |
Important assumption
An 8.5 kW shower used for nine minutes/day is a straightforward resistive-load example. Real duration dominates annual cost.
What changes electric shower electricity use?
Electric showers are a simple high-power load, so duration is usually the dominant variable. A small change in daily shower time can make a noticeable annual difference because the heater operates at several kilowatts whenever hot water is flowing.
Make this estimate more realistic
Use the shower unit rating and a realistic average duration per person. If several people use the shower, calculate total daily minutes. Flow setting and inlet-water temperature can change the effective power or comfort, but time remains the best first variable to measure.
Electricity prices change, so the 15p, 25p and 35p/kWh rows are sensitivity examples rather than a current-tariff claim. Use the linked calculator with the unit rate shown on your own bill before relying on the annual cost.