How much does it cost to run a electric radiant cooktop (per element)? (2026–27)
At typical draw · official state tariffs
Typical household use — 0.5 h/day, 365 days a year at 1,800 W — runs $90–$138 a year depending on your state's tariff.
Wattage basis: Per-element ratings 1,200–3,000 W when active; ceramic elements commonly 1.2–2.2 kW.
| State | Tariff c/kWh | Per hour | Typical year |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 33.1c | $0.60 | $109 |
| Victoria | 27.5c | $0.49 | $90 |
| Queensland | 28.0c | $0.50 | $92 |
| South Australia | 41.9c | $0.75 | $138 |
| Western Australia | 33.3c | $0.60 | $109 |
| Tasmania | 28.0c | $0.50 | $92 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 37.0c | $0.67 | $121 |
| Northern Territory | 31.7c | $0.57 | $104 |
Appliance running-cost calculator
NSWCeramic cooktop: 1,200–3,000 W typical range.
15–45 min per session; radiant elements cycle on/off, so average draw sits below rated watts.
- Per day (0.5 h)
- $0.30
- Per month
- $9.07
- Per year (365 days)
- $108.86
Tariff: 33.1c/kWh — AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) for the Ausgrid network, effective 1 July 2026. Wattage basis: GloBird Energy — appliance electricity use. Full ceramic cooktop costs in NSW →
Cutting the cost
Radiant and coil hobs hold their heat, so switch them off a touch before the food's done and let the warmth finish the job. Always use a lid, and match the pot base to the element so heat isn't spilling past the sides. Flat, well-fitting cookware transfers heat best. Boiling water in the kettle first and pouring it in beats heating a pot from cold.
Frequently asked questions
- How is the running cost calculated?
- Watts ÷ 1,000 × your electricity rate = cost per hour. A ceramic cooktop drawing 1,800 W on a 33.1c/kWh tariff costs $0.60 an hour — the calculator above lets you change every input.
- Does a higher star rating cut the cost?
- Yes — the star rating compresses the power draw or energy per use, which scales this page's figures directly. The low–high band in the table (1,200–3,000 W) roughly spans efficient to inefficient models.
- Why does the state matter?
- The appliance draws the same power everywhere — but each state's reference usage rate differs, so the same hour of running costs $0.49 in the cheapest state and $0.75 in the dearest. Pick your state above for exact figures.
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Costs use each state's representative-zone reference usage rate, effective 1 July 2026. 15–45 min per session; radiant elements cycle on/off, so average draw sits below rated watts.