How much does it cost to run an electric shower?

At 7500 watts used 0.25 hours a day, an electric shower costs about $0.32 per day, $9.70 per month and $116.34 per year on an average rate of 17¢ per kWh — roughly 684.4 kWh and 273.8 kg of CO₂ over a year. Enter your own electricity rate and usage in the calculator above for a figure matched to your bill.

Electric showers work by pushing cold water through a heating element that warms it to your desired temperature in seconds. This instantaneous heating is why they consume so much electrical power—typically between 7,000 and 8,500 watts when running at full strength. Unlike gas boilers or heat pump systems that distribute heat over longer periods, an electric shower concentrates all its energy into a small timeframe, making it inherently power-intensive per minute of operation. However, because you only use it for short bursts, the total daily consumption can be moderate compared to appliances that run for hours.

The actual cost of running an electric shower is determined by three factors working together: how powerful your shower is, how long you shower, and how often you use hot water. A standard electric shower typically costs more to operate than a mixer shower fed by a boiler, but less than constantly heating an entire house to supply hot water elsewhere. If you're someone who takes multiple long showers daily, the annual cost will climb noticeably; conversely, if your household showers briefly or infrequently, the impact stays relatively low. Installing a flow restrictive showerhead or a thermostatic mixing valve can meaningfully reduce consumption without sacrificing comfort, since lower flow rates still deliver adequate water pressure while using less energy to heat less water.

When buying an electric shower, look for models with adjustable power settings—usually a selector switch that lets you run at 8.5 kW, 6 kW, or even lower settings depending on the model. Running at a lower power setting takes longer to heat the water to your target temperature, but it uses significantly less electricity per shower and is ideal for warmer months or if you're simply rinsing off rather than taking a full hot shower. Some units feature pulse or eco modes that cycle the heating element on and off, further reducing consumption. The quality of the heating element itself also matters: cheaper showers often have elements that accumulate limescale in hard water areas, forcing them to work harder and waste energy, so descaling occasionally or choosing a model with replaceable elements can maintain efficiency over time.

A common misconception is that turning the thermostatic dial up makes water hotter faster. In reality, an electric shower at maximum temperature setting doesn't heat the water more powerfully—it simply closes a mixing valve to restrict cold water flow. This means your shower is burning maximum electricity while you adjust temperature, wasting energy during the tuning phase. Running your shower on a medium temperature setting and letting it stabilize uses less total energy than constantly tweaking the dial. Another overlooked detail is that older electric showers often have corroded heating elements or faulty thermostats that cause them to overheat water and then mix in cold water to cool it down, creating unnecessary waste. If your shower takes an unusually long time to reach temperature, or cycles on and off, it may be time to replace the element or the unit itself.

To minimize running costs without compromising comfort, aim for showers under 10 minutes if possible, use the lower power setting when suitable, and keep the heating element clear of limescale by using a water softener in hard water areas or cleaning the inlet filter regularly. Some households find that a modern electric shower is more economical than maintaining a full boiler system just to supply hot water to one bathroom, particularly in small homes or flats where only one or two people shower daily. The most efficient approach is to match your shower choice to your household's actual habits: if showers are always quick and infrequent, even a standard electric shower represents reasonable value compared to other heating systems.