The Electric Kettle: The Main Cost

A standard electric kettle uses approximately 3 kilowatts (kW) of power. Using Ireland's average electricity rate of €0.38 per kilowatt-hour (kWh):

Boiling a Full Kettle (1.7 litres, ~3 minutes)

  • Calculation: (3 kW × 3/60 hours) = 0.15 kWh
  • Cost: 0.15 kWh × €0.38 = €0.057 (approximately 6 cents per boil)

Boiling Only What You Need (250ml, ~1 minute)

  • Calculation: (3 kW × 1/60 hours) = 0.05 kWh
  • Cost: 0.05 kWh × €0.38 = €0.019 (approximately 2 cents per boil)
By simply boiling only the water you need, you can cut the electricity cost by two-thirds.

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Kettle or Pot: Which Is Cheaper?

Gas stove boiling costs comparison:

  • Average natural gas price: €0.13 per kWh
  • Gas stove efficiency: approximately 40%
  • Electric kettle efficiency: over 90%

Cost for a Gas Hob (single cup):

  • Total Gas Used: 0.125 kWh
  • Cost: 0.125 kWh × €0.13 = €0.016 (just over 1.5 cents)

While using gas is technically a fraction of a cent cheaper per cup, the difference is negligible. The convenience and safety of an electric kettle often make it the superior choice.

Other Costs to a Cup of Tea

  • Tea bag (from box of 80): approximately 6 cents
  • Splash of milk: around 3 cents
  • Teaspoon of sugar: about 1 cent
  • Tap water cost: minimal, a fraction of a cent

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The Total Cost for a Year of Tea

Single cup cost: approximately 12 cents total.

For 5 cups daily:

  • Daily Cost: 5 cups × €0.12 = €0.60
  • Annual Cost: €0.60 × 365 days = €219

A year of tea can cost you over €200.

How Can I Save Money When Making a Cup of Tea?

  1. Boil only what you need — reduces energy costs by two-thirds compared to full kettle boiling
  2. Keep your kettle clean — regular descaling removes limescale buildup that reduces efficiency and increases energy consumption
  3. Use a thermal flask — boil once and store excess hot water to avoid repeated boiling cycles