How Much Does It Cost to Run a Electric Shower? (UK 2026)
Based on the active UK Ofgem price cap of 24.5p per kWh (1 January 2026 – 31 March 2026).
A typical 8500W electric shower costs £2.08 per hour of continuous use at current UK electricity rates (24.5p/kWh). For typical daily usage (Two 10-minute showers per day (20 minutes total = 0.33 hours / ~2.8 kWh/day)), it costs approximately £0.69 per day or £250.15 per year.
Manufacturer specs: Mira & Triton 8.5 kW - 10.5 kW instantaneous electric showers / Stiebel Eltron Durchlauferhitzer
How to Save Money Running a Electric Shower
- Reduce shower time from 10 minutes to 5 minutes to instantly halve your showering electricity expenditure.
- Fit an aerating, water-saving showerhead; reducing flow rate from 10 L/min to 6 L/min allows lower power settings for the same temperature.
- Switch the shower dial to the "Eco" power setting during warm summer months when cold mains water enters at a warmer temperature.
- Turn off the shower while lathering shampoo or soap, turning it back on only to rinse.
Alternative Appliances Compared
vs. Immersion Heater
View running cost →An electric shower heats water on demand instantaneously with zero tank heat losses, whereas an immersion heater keeps 150–200L continuously warm.
vs. Electric Kettle
View running cost →Both use high-draw electric immersion elements, but a shower draws 8,500W to 10,000W compared to 2,200W for a kettle.
Electric Shower Technical Power Profile
Source data: Mira & Triton 8.5 kW - 10.5 kW instantaneous electric showers / Stiebel Eltron Durchlauferhitzer
Frequently Asked Questions: Electric Shower Electricity Costs
How much does a 10-minute electric shower cost in the UK?â–¾
An 8.5 kW shower running for 10 minutes (0.167 hours) consumes approx. 1.42 kWh. At 24.5p/kWh, a 10-minute shower costs approx. 34.7p. A 9.5 kW shower costs 38.8p.
Is an electric shower the highest wattage appliance in a home?â–¾
Yes. Most electric showers draw between 8,500W and 10,500W, requiring their own dedicated 40-amp circuit directly from the consumer unit.
How much can a family of 4 save by cutting showers to 5 minutes?â–¾
Four 10-minute showers daily cost around £506 per year in the UK. Cutting showers to 5 minutes saves over £250 annually on electricity bills.
Why do showers have higher wattage in winter than summer?â–¾
In winter, incoming mains water can be as cold as 5°C. To heat it to a comfortable 40°C, the shower element must work at full 8.5–10 kW capacity.
Is an electric shower cheaper than a mixer shower off a combi gas boiler?â–¾
No. Gas heating is roughly 6p–7p/kWh while electricity is 24.5p/kWh, making gas combi showers roughly three times cheaper per minute of hot water.