Quick answer: an electric shower costs its kW rating × minutes ÷ 60 × your electricity price. An 8-minute shower on a 9.5kW unit uses about 1.27 kWh, which is about 33p at 26.32p per kWh.
Electric Shower Running Cost Calculator
Results update as you type. Default price: 26.32p/kWh, the Ofgem cap for October to December 2026.
The electric shower cost formula
Cost per shower = kW rating × minutes ÷ 60 × price per kWh
A 9.5kW shower for 8 minutes: 9.5 × 8 ÷ 60 = 1.27 kWh, and 1.27 × 26.32p = 33.3p. One 8-minute shower a day is about £2.33 a week, or about £121 a year. Day-rate figures use 26.32p per kWh, the Ofgem price cap unit rate for electricity paid by direct debit from 1 October to 31 December 2026. Your own rate is on your bill, so change it in the calculator.
Electric shower cost by rating and length
| Rating | 5 minutes | 8 minutes | 10 minutes | Per year (8 min daily) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5kW | 16.4p | 26.3p | 32.9p | £95.80 |
| 8.5kW | 18.6p | 29.8p | 37.3p | £108.58 |
| 9.5kW | 20.8p | 33.3p | 41.7p | £121.35 |
| 10.5kW | 23.0p | 36.8p | 46.1p | £134.13 |
How to cut the cost of showering
- Cut a minute or two. On a 9.5kW shower each minute costs about 4.2p, so two minutes less every day saves about £30 a year.
- Use a shower timer or a song as a timer.
- Descale the shower head so the flow stays strong without turning the power up.
- Use the eco or lower power setting in summer, when incoming water is warmer.
Worked examples
- Household of four: four 8-minute showers a day on a 9.5kW unit use about 5.1 kWh, roughly £1.33 a day.
- Quick shower: 5 minutes on a 7.5kW unit uses 0.63 kWh, about 16p.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an 8-minute electric shower cost?
At 26.32p per kWh, an 8-minute shower costs about 26p with a 7.5kW unit, 30p with 8.5kW, 33p with 9.5kW and 37p with 10.5kW.
How much does an electric shower cost per minute?
Divide the kW rating by 60 and multiply by your price per kWh. A 9.5kW shower uses about 0.16 kWh a minute, roughly 4.2p a minute at 26.32p.
Is a higher kW electric shower more expensive?
It costs more per minute, but it heats water faster, so you get a stronger flow at the same temperature. The total cost depends on how long you stay in.
Is an electric shower cheaper than a bath?
Usually, for a short shower, because it heats only the water you use. A long shower on a powerful unit can cost as much as a bath, so shower length matters most.