Which Hob Is the Cheapest to Run in 2025?
Energy Efficiency Compared
The core reason different hobs cost different amounts to run is how efficiently they turn energy into useful heat for your pan. An open gas flame loses a significant portion of heat to the surrounding air. A ceramic element heats a glass surface first, which then heats the pan. Induction, by contrast, generates heat directly within the base of the pan itself through an electromagnetic fieldA changing magnetic field induces electrical currents in the pan base, which generate heat directly inside the metal., with minimal loss to the surrounding surface.
High efficiency means the hob needs fewer kilowatt-hours (kWh) to achieve the same result. A pot of water that takes 8 minutes to boil on an induction hob might take 12–14 minutes on a ceramic, using more electricity throughout. That said, efficiency only tells part of the story — the unit price you pay for gas versus electricity matters just as much.
Running Costs by Hob Type
Use the tabs below to explore how each hob type breaks down by cost, performance, and practical considerations. Figures are based on Ofgem’s energy price cap rates for 2025: approximately 24.5p per kWh for electricity and 6.2p per kWh for gas.
Gas Hob
* Estimated at ~1 hour cooking per day, 300 days per year.
Induction Hob
* Faster cooking times reduce total session kWh vs ceramic — effective annual cost is competitive.
Ceramic Hob
* Surface retains heat after use — switch off a few minutes early to use residual heat and cut costs.
Solid Plate Hob
* Solid plates are being phased out — they are rarely fitted in new or refurbished kitchens today.
The key takeaway: gas wins on pence-per-session, but its low unit rate partially offsets its low efficiency. Induction costs more per kWh, but because it heats faster and wastes so little energy, the gap narrows considerably over a full year. If you cook frequently, the difference between gas and induction running costs is often less than £30–£40 annually — a figure that could easily be recovered in reduced cooking times alone.
Estimate Your Running Costs
Running Cost Calculator
Enter your own energy rates and cooking habits to see a personalised annual cost comparison across all four hob types. Your rates appear on your energy bill or supplier’s app.
What Else Affects Running Costs?
The hob type is the biggest variable, but several habits and choices compound or reduce its impact day to day.
Cookware matters more than most people realise
On induction and ceramic hobs, flat-bottomed, heavy-based pans maximise surface contact and improve heat transfer. A warped pan base on a ceramic zone wastes a measurable amount of energy on every use. On a gas hobThe flame spreads beyond the pan base, so large-diameter pans absorb more heat than small ones — match burner size to pan size., matching the burner size to the pan prevents flames from wrapping around the sides and heating nothing useful.
Residual heat is free energy
Ceramic and solid plate hobs retain significant heat after you switch them off. Switching off 3–4 minutes before the end of cooking and letting residual heat finish the job adds up across hundreds of meals a year. Induction hobs cool quickly, so this trick has less benefit, but you can still use it to keep a sauce warm at zero cost.
Using lids reduces cooking time
A lid traps steam and heat, cutting the time needed to bring food to temperature. On a boiling ring, a lidded saucepan can reach the boil in roughly half the time of an uncovered one. That translates directly into fewer minutes at full power and a lower cost per meal.
Common habits that increase running costs
- Using a large burner or zone for a small pan — most of the heat goes nowhere
- Leaving the hob on at full power while waiting for water to boil — turn it down once boiling is reached
- Cooking from frozen on a ceramic hob — the extended time increases energy use significantly versus defrosting first
- Ignoring peak tariffSome smart energy tariffs charge higher rates at peak times (typically 4–7pm). Cooking outside peak hours can reduce your electricity bill. hours if you’re on a time-of-use tariff
You can find more advice on getting the best from your hob in our guide to induction, ceramic, and gas hobs compared, which covers performance and cooking style alongside running costs.
Upfront and Installation Costs
Running costs are only one part of the total cost of ownership. A cheaper hob to buy can quickly become the more expensive choice if its running costs are higher over several years. The table below sets out typical purchase and installation costs for each type.
| Hob Type | Typical Price Range | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | £180–£400+ | Requires a Gas Safe registered engineer |
| Induction | £200–£450+ | 32A dedicated circuit or 13A plug-in models available |
| Ceramic | £150–£320 | 32A dedicated circuit (some 13A plug-in models available) |
| Solid Plate | £120–£200 | 32A dedicated circuit — increasingly rare in new stock |
Gas installation adds the cost of a qualified engineer on top of the appliance price, which can range from £100 to £200 depending on location and the complexity of the connection. If you’re switching from gas to electric, you’ll also need an electrician to install a dedicated circuit. If you’re replacing like for like, installation costs are lower.
For households considering a hob upgrade, our hob guides and advice hub covers everything from installation requirements to choosing the right size for your kitchen.
Which Hob Should You Choose?
There is no single correct answer because the right choice depends on your gas supply, cooking habits, and how long you plan to stay in your home. Here is a practical breakdown by scenario.
You want the lowest cost per session
A gas hob remains the cheapest to run on a per-session basis while gas unit rates sit well below electricity. If you already have a gas supply and cook daily, it is difficult to beat on short-term running costs alone.
You want the best long-term value
Induction is the stronger choice over a five-year horizon, particularly as the UK electricity grid decarbonises and the gap between gas and electricity rates shifts. Its higher efficiency means fewer units consumed per meal, and faster cooking sessions reduce the total time at power — benefits that compound with daily use.
You want simplicity and low upfront cost
A ceramic hob sits in the middle ground. It works with any pan, requires no special installation beyond a 32A circuit, and costs less upfront than induction. Running costs are higher than induction but manageable, and for households that cook occasionally rather than daily, the saving on purchase price may outweigh the extra spent on energy.
From the CATA range
If you’re ready to choose, here are two options worth exploring from the CATA hob range — each suited to the two most popular choices for running cost-conscious buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
- Gas hobs have the lowest cost per cooking session due to cheap gas unit rates, despite being less efficient.
- Induction hobs are the most efficient (85–90%), cook faster, and have competitive annual running costs — typically within £30–£40 of gas.
- Ceramic hobs are a practical middle option: more expensive to run than gas or induction, but compatible with any flat-based pan and lower to purchase.
- Solid plate hobs are the most expensive to run and are rarely worth choosing over ceramic.
- Simple habits — lids on pots, right-sized pans, residual heat — can noticeably reduce running costs on any hob type.
- If you cook daily and plan to stay in your home for five or more years, induction offers the best balance of efficiency, performance, and future-proofing.
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