Kettle vs Hob: What's Cheaper to Boil Water in the UK 2026?
Updated: May 2026 — Power Guardian UK Editorial Team
Brits boil the kettle around 1,500 times a year. Pick the wrong method and you waste £30–£50. Here's the maths at 27p/kWh electricity and 6.5p/kWh gas.
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Cost to boil 1 litre of water
| Method | Energy used | Cost per boil | Annual cost (1,500 boils) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric kettle (3kW, full) | 0.11 kWh | 3.0p | £45 |
| Electric kettle (only what you need, ~500ml) | 0.06 kWh | 1.6p | £24 |
| Gas hob (open pan, no lid) | 0.21 kWh gas | 1.4p | £21 |
| Gas hob (lidded pan) | 0.13 kWh gas | 0.8p | £13 |
| Induction hob (lidded) | 0.09 kWh | 2.4p | £36 |
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The verdict
- Cheapest: gas hob with a lid. About half the cost of a kettle.
- Most convenient + reasonably cheap: electric kettle, but only fill what you'll drink.
- Worst habit: filling a 1.7L kettle to the top for a single mug. That's £30/year wasted.
Why kettles often lose
Electric kettles are ~90% efficient — almost all the power goes into the water. But UK electricity costs roughly 4× more per kWh than gas, so even an inefficient gas hob beats a kettle on raw fuel cost.
When the kettle still wins
- Boiling small amounts (<500ml) — kettle reaches boiling point fastest
- Off-peak Economy 7 / Octopus Go customers paying 7–10p/kWh — kettle becomes cheaper than gas
- Households without a working gas hob
Three habits that actually save money
- Only boil what you need — mark a "1 mug" line on your kettle
- Use a lid on the hob — cuts boiling time and cost by ~40%
- Descale your kettle every 3 months — limescale wastes 10–20% of the energy
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Is it really cheaper to boil water on a gas hob than in an electric kettle?
Yes, generally. Despite kettles being very efficient, UK electricity costs approximately four times more per kWh than gas, making a lidded gas hob about half the cost of a kettle for boiling a litre of water.
How much can I save by only boiling the water I need?
You can save significantly by not overfilling your kettle. Boiling only 500ml of water instead of a full kettle could reduce your annual boiling cost from £45 to £24, saving you £21 per year.
Does it make a difference if I use a lid on my pan when boiling water on the hob?
Absolutely. Using a lid on your pan when boiling water on a gas hob significantly reduces energy usage and cost. It can cut the boiling time and cost by around 40%.
Are there any situations where an electric kettle is cheaper than a gas hob?
Yes, for boiling very small amounts of water (under 500ml), a kettle reaches boiling point fastest. Also, if you're on an off-peak electricity tariff like Economy 7 or Octopus Go where electricity costs 7-10p/kWh, the kettle becomes cheaper than gas.
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View on Amazon UKHow does limescale affect my kettle's efficiency?
Limescale build-up in your kettle can significantly decrease its efficiency. Descaling your kettle every three months can save 10-20% of the energy, reducing wasted electricity and cost.
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