Electric kettle
How much electricity does an electric kettle use?
1,500–3,000 W · under 1 min per cup · about 2¢ per boil
An electric kettle is close to 100% efficient at converting electricity to heat in the water, and because the element sits inside the water, very little is lost to the room before boiling.
Cost per boil
- One cup (250 ml): about 0.03 kWh — roughly 0.5 cents
- Full kettle (1.7 L): about 0.16 kWh — roughly 2.6 cents
- Stovetop, same volume: 2–3× more, because heat escapes around the pan
The only real waste
Boiling a full kettle for one cup. If you do that four times a day, you are heating 6.8 litres to make 1 litre of tea. Fill to the cup line and the annual saving is small in dollars but immediate.
Kettle vs induction
Modern induction hobs are efficient, but a kettle is still slightly faster and cheaper for small volumes because the water is fully enclosed and insulated by the body. For large pots of water for cooking, induction is comparable.
Limescale matters
A heavily scaled element takes longer to boil because scale insulates the element from the water. Descaling every few months keeps boiling times — and energy use — at rated levels.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a electric kettle use?
1,500–3,000 W. The figure on the rating label is the maximum draw; actual use varies with settings, age and usage pattern.
How much does it cost to run a electric kettle per month?
With the defaults above it comes to the monthly figure shown in the calculator. At 16.5¢/kWh — the US residential average — that is a realistic middle estimate. Your own bill may be 30% lower or higher depending on state.
Is it cheaper to run a electric kettle at night?
Only if your utility offers a time-of-use plan and you avoid the 4pm–9pm peak window. On a flat-rate plan, the time of day makes no difference to the total.
Does the calculator account for real-world duty cycles?
Not automatically — you enter the effective hours yourself. For compressing appliances like refrigerators and AC units, enter the running watts and roughly the proportion of time the compressor is on, which is usually 30–50%.
Will a newer electric kettle actually save money?
Compare the kWh figure in the calculator against an Energy Star model's stated annual use. If the difference is a few hundred kWh a year, the payback on a replacement is usually long; if it is over 500 kWh, it is worth pricing out.