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How much does it cost to run a vacuum cleaner?

A vacuum cleaner typically draws about 900 W. At the current Ofgem price-cap electricity rate of 26.11p/kWh (1 July to 30 September 2026), a typical 0.5-hour use costs about 11.7p, and one hour costs roughly 23.5p.

Vacuum cleaner running cost: ~0.90 kWh per hour β‰ˆ 23.5p/hour. A typical 0.5-hour use β‰ˆ 11.7p at 26.11p/kWh.

Vacuum cleaner running-cost calculator

A vacuum cleaner draws about 900 W. Set how long you run it and we apply the current Ofgem electricity unit rate of 26.11p/kWh.

Cost to run for 0.5 hours

11.7p

Uses 0.45 kWh at 26.11p/kWh.

Per day
11.7p
Per week
82.2p
Per year
Β£42.89

Per-day/week/year figures assume one 0.5-hour run each day. Wattage is typical/indicative β€” your model may differ.

How the cost is worked out

  1. Wattage: a vacuum cleaner draws about 900 W.
  2. Convert to kW: 900 Γ· 1,000 = 0.90 kW.
  3. Multiply by hours: 0.90 kW Γ— 0.5 h = 0.45 kWh.
  4. Multiply by the unit rate: 0.45 kWh Γ— 26.11p β‰ˆ 11.7p.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to run a vacuum cleaner?

A vacuum cleaner draws about 900 W. At the Ofgem cap rate of 26.11p/kWh (1 July to 30 September 2026), a typical 0.5-hour use costs roughly 11.7p, and one hour costs about 23.5p.

How much electricity does a vacuum cleaner use per hour?

At 900 W, a vacuum cleaner uses about 0.90 kWh per hour, which is roughly 23.5p at the current cap rate.

Running costs for other appliances

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Wattage (900 W) is typical/indicative β€” your model may differ. Source: Heatable β€” How much energy do appliances use (typical ratings; draws on Energy Saving Trust / Centre for Sustainable Energy). Electricity unit rate from Ofgem β€” Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges (cap period 1 July to 30 September 2026, fetched 2026-06-18). Ofgem figures Β© Ofgem, Open Government Licence v3.0. Appliance wattages are typical/indicative, not measured. Ofgem.