How much does it cost to run a Steam Iron?

A steam iron is a modern day necessity. Whether you have a budget steam iron or a top of the line model with all of the bells and whistles, you should be aware of how much it costs to run a steam iron in the UK in 2024.

We all have different irons and we all pay slightly different amounts for electricity. You can use our steam iron running cost calculator below to get a more accurate cost for running your steam iron.

Steam Iron Electricity Cost Calculation

Calculating the electricity cost of using a steam iron involves a few simple steps:

• Convert the power rating of the steam iron from Watts to Kilowatts.
• Calculate the total energy consumed for a single use.
• Multiply the energy used by the cost per kilowatt-hour.
• Estimate the monthly or yearly cost based on usage patterns.

Step-by-step calculation:

For this example, we’ll assume you have a 2400-watt steam iron, you’re paying £0.29 per kWh, and you’re using the iron once per week for 45 minutes. Here’s how to estimate your steam iron electricity cost:

1. Convert power rating to Kilowatts (kW):

The power rating (in watts) of the steam iron is 2400W.

Since 1 kilowatt (kW) = 1000 watts (W), 2400W ÷1000 = 2.4 kW

2. Calculate energy used in a single session:

The steam iron is used once per week for 45 minutes.

Converting 45 minutes to hours (since energy consumption is measured in kWh): 45 ÷ 60 = 0.75.

Now, we can multiply the power (in kW) by the usage time (in hours) to find the energy used in one session: 2.4 ÷ 0.75 = 1.8 kWh.

3. Calculate the cost of a single use:

Next, we calculate the cost per session by multiplying the energy used by the cost per kWh: 1.8 × 0.29 = £0.522.

The cost of electricity for using the steam iron once per week for 45 minutes at a rate of £0.29 kWh is £0.52 or 52p.

4. Estimate monthly/yearly cost:

To determine the cost over a longer period, calculate the weekly cost and multiply it as needed.

• Weekly cost (using it once per week): £0.522 × 1 = £0.522 per week
• Monthly cost (approximately 4.345 weeks in a month): £0.522 × 4.345 = £2.27 per month
• Yearly cost: £0.522 × 52 = £27.14 per year

Understanding Energy Ratings and How They Relate to Your Electric Bill

Energy ratings are given to appliances, including steam irons, to indicate their energy efficiency. The higher the rating, the more efficient the appliance is in terms of energy consumption.

This means that a higher-rated steam iron will use less electricity and therefore result in lower energy costs compared to a lower-rated one.

Choosing an appliance with a higher energy rating can significantly impact your electric bill in the long run.

For example, if you replace an old steam iron with an A++ rated one, you could save up to £25 per year on your energy bill from this one change.