How much does an electric shower cost per shower?
A 9.5kW electric shower uses about 1.27 kWh in 8 minutes, which costs about 33p per shower at the Ofgem cap rate of 26.32p/kWh. A 10.5kW shower for 10 minutes is about 46p. For a household taking three showers a day, that adds up to roughly £365 a year.
Prices last checked: 26 September 2026 · Source: Ofgem energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 · Great Britain average, standard variable tariff, paid by Direct Debit
Electric shower cost by rating and length
Electric showers are sold by their kW rating, printed on the unit and on the box. The common ratings range from 7.5kW to 10.5kW. The shower draws close to its full rating whenever it is on its hot settings.
| Shower rating | 5 min | 8 min | 10 min | 15 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 kW | 16p | 26p | 33p | 49p |
| 8.5 kW | 19p | 30p | 37p | 56p |
| 9.5 kW | 21p | 33p | 42p | 63p |
| 10.5 kW | 23p | 37p | 46p | 69p |
Why winter showers cost the same but feel weaker
An electric shower can only put its rated power into the water. In winter the mains supply is colder, so the same power heats less water to the same temperature. The shower compensates by slowing the flow. The cost per minute stays about the same, but you get a weaker shower, and people tend to stay in longer. Time, not temperature, is the lever that saves money.
Electric shower vs other ways to shower
vs gas combi boiler shower
Gas is much cheaper per kWh (7.97p at the cap). A combi-fed shower usually has a higher flow rate, so it uses more water and more energy per minute, but at the cheaper gas price. For most homes with gas, a combi shower costs less per minute of showering.
vs immersion-heated cylinder
An electric shower only heats the water you use, when you use it. A cylinder heated by an immersion heater also loses heat while it waits. On a single-rate tariff the electric shower is often cheaper. On Economy 7, the cylinder heated overnight can win.
vs a bath
A bath uses much more hot water than a short shower. A long power shower can use as much as a bath, though.
vs a higher-kW shower
A 10.5kW shower costs more per minute than an 8.5kW one, but gives a better flow in winter. If a stronger flow means shorter showers, the difference can even out.
Cutting the cost of each shower
- Shorten it. Every minute of a 9.5kW shower costs about 4.2p. Cutting from 10 to 6 minutes saves about 17p per shower.
- Use the eco or lower power setting in summer, when the mains water is warmer.
- Descale the head and hose. In hard-water areas scale reduces the flow and makes showers feel weaker, so people stay in longer.
- Turn it off while lathering if you're comfortable doing so.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to count everyone. Four people showering daily is 28 showers a week.
- Guessing the length. Time it once. Many "5-minute" showers are 10.
- Counting water as electricity. Water charges are billed separately by your water company.
Limits of this estimate
The figures assume full power for the whole shower. The unit rate is the Ofgem cap average for Great Britain, Direct Debit, standard variable tariff.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 10 minute electric shower cost?
About 37p for an 8.5kW shower, 42p for 9.5kW and 46p for 10.5kW, at the cap rate.
Is an electric shower cheaper than using the boiler?
With a gas boiler, usually not, because gas costs much less per kWh. With an electric immersion cylinder on a single-rate tariff, the electric shower is often cheaper.
Does an electric shower use electricity on standby?
Only a trivial amount for the display or lights, if it has any. The cost is almost entirely the time it runs.