An energy expert has revealed which kitchen appliances could help reduce your energy bills in 2025. The air fryer, known for its versatility in reheating leftovers, baking cakes and even cooking full roast dinners, is often touted as an energy-efficient alternative to traditional ovens.
With the impending rise of the energy price cap from January, many are seeking ways to cook their favourite meals more efficiently. One appliance has emerged as the ultimate cost-saving solution.
Ovens, a staple in nearly every UK home, typically use between 500 to 1000 watts per hour. This translates to an estimated cost of 12p to 25p per hour of use, depending on the size and wattage of the oven.
In contrast, the average air fryer uses around 900 to 2000 watts per hour, costing about 22p to 49p per hour of use. While this might seem higher initially, it’s important to note that air fryers have shorter cooking times, which could result in lower overall costs per use.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
However, according to recent research by Bionic, slow cookers take the crown for energy efficiency. A popular choice during the winter months across the UK, slow cookers are appreciated for their minimal energy consumption despite their long cooking times, reports Lancs Live.
In the UK, a typical slow cooker consumes between 70 to 250 watts each hour, with operational costs ranging from approximately 2p to 6p per hour, depending on your appliance’s size and power.
Les Roberts, the Energy Specialist at Bionic, commented: “The data shows that despite much longer cooking times, slow cookers are consistently one of the most energy and cost-efficient ways to cook, costing as little as 5p to use.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Air fryers have been revealed to have one of the least cost-efficient prices per hour, clocking in at a surprising 22p to 49p per hour, often coming in higher than the cost of using your oven, despite being commonly associated with one of the most energy-efficient cooking methods. However, with air fryers, it is important to remember that cooking times are often halved, with the average air fryer cooking time clocking in at 30 minutes.
“The data reflects the current energy price cap, although it’s important to know from January 1 to March 31, 2025, the price cap will be increasing and energy for a typical household paying by Direct Debit will go up by 1.2% to £1,738 per year.”
