How much does a vacuum cleaner cost to run?
At the current price cap, a vacuum cleaner costs about 5.9p per 18-minute clean, or around £9.26 a year with typical use.
Vacuum cleaner
- An hour
- 19.7p
- A day used
- 5.9p
- A week
- 17.8p
- A month
- 77.2p
- Energy a year
- 35.2 kWh
750 W for 18 minutes a day, 3 days a week, at 26.32p per kWh.
Excludes the daily standing charge, which you pay whatever you use.
How it compares
Yearly cost with typical use, at your unit rate.
Vacuum cleaner running costs
At 26.32p per kWh, with typical use of 18 minutes a day, 3 days a week.
| Period | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per 18-minute clean | 0.23 kWh | 5.9p |
| Per hour in use | 0.75 kWh | 19.7p |
| Per week | 0.67 kWh | 17.8p |
| Per month | 2.93 kWh | 77.2p |
| Per year | 35.2 kWh | £9.26 |
How the cost varies
Charging a cordless vacuum (about 0.05 kWh a charge) to a 900 W corded vacuum for 18 minutes.
| Energy use | Per 18-minute clean | Per year (typical use) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower | 1.3p | £2.06 |
| Typical | 5.9p | £9.26 |
| Higher | 7.1p | £11.12 |
Home appliances compared
Yearly cost with typical use, at 26.32p per kWh.
| Appliance | Per hour | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum cleaner (this page) | 19.7p | £9.26 |
| LED bulb | 0.2p | £3.84 |
Ways to spend less
- Empty the bin or change the bag before it's full. A clogged vacuum takes longer to pick up dirt.
- Clean or replace the filters as the maker suggests to keep suction strong.
- Cordless vacuums cost very little to charge, often under 2p a charge.
How we calculate this
We take a typical vacuum cleaner at 750 watts, used 18 minutes a day, 3 days a week, and multiply the energy it uses by the Ofgem price cap unit rate of 26.32p per kWh.
One 18-minute clean uses about 0.23 kWh. Use the calculator above with your own appliance’s power and how you use it for a closer figure.
Questions people ask
How much does a vacuum cleaner cost to run a year?
With typical use (18 minutes a day, 3 days a week), about £9.26 a year at the current price cap, or 77.2p a month.
Do more powerful vacuums clean better?
Not necessarily. Suction depends on design, not just watts. Since 2017, new vacuum cleaners sold in the UK have been limited to 900 W, and many clean as well as older models of 2,000 W or more.
How much does it cost to charge a cordless vacuum?
About 1p to 2p a charge at the current price cap. A typical battery takes about 0.05 kWh to fill.
Does this include the standing charge?
No. The standing charge (54.83p a day under the current cap, about £200.13 a year) is a fixed daily cost for being connected. It does not change with how much you use any appliance.