Electric showers are the single highest-wattage appliance in most UK homes, drawing between 7,000W and 10,500W of power. This makes them the most expensive appliance to run on a per-minute basis. However, because showers are typically short (5–10 minutes), the per-use cost is manageable — though it adds up significantly across a household over a year.
Quick Answer: Electric Shower Running Costs
Based on the UK average electricity rate of approximately 24.5p per kWh:
| Shower Rating | Cost Per Minute | 5-Min Shower | 10-Min Shower | Annual (1 shower/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 kW | 3.1p | 15p | 31p | £55 – £112 |
| 8.5 kW | 3.5p | 17p | 35p | £63 – £127 |
| 9.5 kW | 3.9p | 19p | 39p | £70 – £142 |
| 10.5 kW | 4.3p | 21p | 43p | £78 – £157 |
Key takeaway: Cutting your shower time from 10 minutes to 5 minutes halves your shower electricity cost — saving approximately £55–£78 per person per year depending on your shower's power rating.
Annual Costs for a Household
The real impact becomes clear when you multiply by the number of people in your home:
| Household | Annual Cost (5-min showers, 9.5kW) | Annual Cost (10-min showers, 9.5kW) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person (1 shower/day) | £70 | £142 |
| 2 people | £140 | £284 |
| 3 people | £210 | £426 |
| 4 people | £280 | £568 |
For a family of four taking 10-minute showers with a 9.5kW electric shower, the annual electricity cost is over £560. This alone represents approximately 10–15% of the average UK household electricity bill.
How the Cost Is Calculated
Electric showers heat water instantly as it flows through the unit — there's no stored hot water involved. The power rating tells you exactly how much electricity is consumed:
Cost per minute = (kW rating ÷ 60) × Price per kWh
For a 9.5kW shower:
- Energy per minute: 9.5 kW ÷ 60 = 0.158 kWh
- Cost per minute: 0.158 × £0.245 = 3.9p
- 8-minute shower: 8 × 3.9p = 31p
Use our energy cost calculator by entering your shower's wattage (e.g., 9500) and the fraction of an hour you shower for (e.g., 0.133 for 8 minutes) to get an exact daily cost.
Electric Shower vs Mixer Shower vs Power Shower
| Shower Type | How It Works | Typical Cost Per 8-Min Shower |
|---|---|---|
| Electric shower | Heats cold mains water instantly using electricity | 25p – 34p (electricity) |
| Mixer shower (gas boiler) | Uses pre-heated water from gas boiler/cylinder | 8p – 15p (gas + water) |
| Power shower (with pump) | Mixer shower with electric pump for pressure | 10p – 18p (gas + pump electricity) |
| Mixer shower (electric immersion) | Uses water heated by immersion heater | 30p – 50p (electricity) |
If you have a gas combi boiler, a mixer shower is significantly cheaper to run than an electric shower because gas costs approximately 6.5p/kWh compared to 24.5p/kWh for electricity. However, electric showers have advantages: they don't depend on your boiler, provide hot water on demand even if the boiler fails, and are simpler to install.
Electric Shower vs Bath: Cost Comparison
A bath typically uses 80–100 litres of hot water. The cost depends on how that water is heated:
- Bath (gas boiler heating): approximately 25p–35p per bath
- Bath (electric immersion heating): approximately 90p–£1.20 per bath
- Electric shower (8 minutes, 9.5kW): approximately 31p
An electric shower is almost always cheaper than a bath heated by electricity, and comparable to a gas-heated bath — but only if you keep the shower under 8–10 minutes. Longer showers quickly become more expensive than a bath.
Why Higher kW Ratings Aren't Always Worse
While a 10.5kW shower costs more per minute than a 7.5kW shower, the higher-powered unit heats water more effectively and provides better flow. This means:
- You may spend less time in the shower because the experience is more satisfying
- You're less likely to turn it to maximum and still feel cold (which wastes water and energy)
- In winter, when mains water is colder (5–8°C vs 15°C in summer), higher-rated showers maintain a comfortable temperature at reasonable flow
The key factor is shower duration, not the kW rating. A 5-minute shower at 10.5kW costs less than a 10-minute shower at 7.5kW.
Tips to Reduce Electric Shower Costs
- Reduce shower time — every minute you cut saves 3–4p. Use a shower timer or play a 4-minute song as a guide.
- Turn off while lathering — switching the shower off while you shampoo or soap up can save 2–3 minutes of running time per shower.
- Use the eco setting — many electric showers have a lower power/eco mode that reduces flow and energy use by 20–30%.
- Install a low-flow shower head — aerating shower heads maintain pressure feel while using less water, meaning less energy needed to heat it.
- Don't run it to warm up — electric showers heat instantly, so step in right away rather than letting water run.
- Shower less frequently where appropriate — not everyone needs a daily shower. Alternate-day showering halves your costs.
- Consider switching to a mixer shower — if you have a gas boiler, switching to a mixer shower can reduce per-shower costs by 50–70%.
Calculate Your Exact Shower Costs
To calculate your specific electric shower running cost, use our free energy cost calculator. Enter your shower's wattage (shown on the unit — e.g., 8500, 9500, or 10500) and your shower duration in hours (divide minutes by 60). The calculator will show your daily, monthly, and annual costs.