How much will an air fryer add to my monthly electricity bill?

Most countertop air fryers add about R10-R120 to a typical South African household bill each month, depending on model wattage, how often you cook and session length; light use sits near R5-R15 while heavy daily roasting can reach R80-R120+.

How do we calculate the running cost for an air fryer at home?

We multiply the appliance power (W) by session hours to get kWh (Power ÷ 1 000 × hours × sessions per month), then multiply that energy by your electricity price (R per kWh) to get the monthly cost.

What simple habits can we use to lower air fryer running costs without changing meals?

Batch cook larger portions, avoid unnecessary preheating for short items, keep the basket reasonably full, choose the right-sized model for the task and cook multiple items together when recipes allow to reduce extra cycles.

Can we replace a full-size oven with an air fryer to save on electricity?

For small to medium portions an air fryer is generally more energy-efficient than a full-size oven, but for large roasts or many portions an oven may still be more practical; compare wattage, runtime and how often you run each appliance to decide.

Air fryer energy usage and running costs: what it adds to your monthly bill

See how much an air fryer typically adds to a South African household electricity bill, with worked examples in R, simple calculations and energy-saving tips.

Published:July 10, 2026

Updated:September 8, 2026

5 min read

Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels

Typical monthly range

Most households see about R10-R120 extra per month depending on use.

How much does an air fryer add to your monthly electricity bill?

We start with the short answer: most countertop air fryers add between about R10 and R120 to a typical South African household electricity bill each month, depending on the model, how often you cook, and how long you run it. That range reflects everyday use patterns - quick snacks versus daily family dinners - and assumes residential electricity prices and typical unit usage. Below we explain the numbers, show worked examples using common usage patterns, and give steps you can take to reduce the impact on your monthly bill.

Key factors that drive running cost

Power rating (watts) - usually 1 200W-2 200W for most countertop air fryers.
Daily runtime - short bursts (10-20 minutes) versus longer roasts (30-60+ minutes).
Frequency - number of cooking sessions per week.
Electricity tariff - the price per kWh charged by your supplier or municipal account.
Preheating and multiple cycles - repeated short cycles add up.

How we calculate cost (simple maths you can follow)

To estimate running cost we multiply the appliance power by runtime to get kilowatt-hours (kWh), then multiply by your electricity price. The formula is:

Energy (kWh) = Power (W) ÷ 1 000 × Hours used per session × Sessions per month

Monthly cost (R) = Energy (kWh) × Electricity price (R per kWh)

Typical power ratings you’ll see

Small countertop models: ~1 200W-1 500W.
Medium family-sized: ~1 500W-1 800W.
Larger or high-performance models: ~1 800W-2 200W.

You can usually find the wattage on the appliance badge or in the product page. If you’d like to compare models available to buy, visit our Airfryers category to check specifications and pricing.

Example - a step-by-step household calculation

Use this worked example to see how we reach a monthly estimate. We assume an electricity price of R2.50 per kWh - adjust to your municipal or Eskom tariff.

Model: 1 600W air fryer
Session length: 25 minutes (0.42 hours)
Sessions per week: 5 (weekday dinners) → ~20 per month

Energy per session = 1 600 ÷ 1 000 × 0.42 = 0.672 kWh

Monthly energy = 0.672 kWh × 20 = 13.44 kWh

Monthly cost = 13.44 kWh × R2.50 = R33.60

So, a medium-use household might see roughly R30-R40 extra per month at that tariff. Change the tariff, runtime, or sessions and the number moves accordingly.

A quick comparison of common use patterns

Light use (snacks twice a week, 15 minutes each, 1 300W): ~R5-R15 per month.
Average family use (dinner 5× week, 25 minutes, 1 600W): ~R30-R50 per month.
Heavy use (daily long roasts, 45-60 minutes, 2 000W): ~R80-R120+ per month.

Those bands are illustrative. We recommend measuring with your own tariff and habits for a precise figure.

Practical note: preheating adds time but not as much energy as you might expect. Most air fryers reach operating temperature quickly; trimming unnecessary preheat time saves both minutes and rand.

If you want to explore related cooking appliances and compare how they might affect bills, see our Appliances hub or the narrower Cookware category for compatible tools and accessories.

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We’ve tested simple habits that make a noticeable difference to monthly energy use. These are easy to follow and don’t change the meals you love.

Practical tips that save energy

Batch cooking: cook larger portions less often so you run the air fryer fewer times per week.
Avoid unnecessary preheating: for short items, start straight in - most recipes tolerate skipping preheat.
Keep the basket full but not overcrowded: full loads are more energy-efficient per plate than many tiny loads.
Use the right size for the job: smaller models for snacks, larger ones for family meals reduces wasted air and time.
Combine functions: use the air fryer for multiple items at once if the recipe allows - that reduces extra cycles.

Should you replace other appliances with an air fryer?

Air fryers are efficient compared with full-size ovens for small to medium portions because they heat less space and finish faster. If you swap frequent oven use for an air fryer you can often lower running costs - particularly for weekday dinners - but large roasts and batch baking still belong in a conventional oven for convenience and capacity.

Real-life South Africa scenarios

Young couple in a rental: a compact 1 300W model used 3× per week for 20 minutes typically adds R10-R20 per month.
Family of four: a 1 800W unit used daily for 30 minutes may add R60-R90 per month depending on tariff.
Shared student flat: several short snack sessions can add up - encourage batch snacks to reduce sessions.

If you’re shopping for an air fryer and want to balance upfront price with running cost, explore our Appliances collection and the dedicated Airfryers category to compare wattages, sizes and customer reviews.

Final checklist before you buy or use

Check the wattage on the product page to estimate running cost.
Think about how many sessions you’ll realistically run each week.
Compare the model’s capacity with how much you usually cook - avoid oversized units for single-person households.
Factor in your local electricity price; change the R/kWh in our worked examples to match your bill.

We hope these practical examples help you understand the monthly bill impact and make choices that suit your kitchen rhythm. When you’re ready to compare models or add accessories, our Appliances and Airfryers pages can help you find the right fit for both meals and running costs.

Sources

U.S. Department of Energy - Estimating appliance energy use
National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)
Eskom - residential tariffs and customer information
Consumer.org.za - Appliance running cost methods

Last updated: September 8, 2026

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Air fryer energy usage and running costs: what it adds to your monthly bill

Typical monthly range

Why Choose Bash?

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Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Simple calculation

Easy savings

How much does an air fryer add to your monthly electricity bill?

Key factors that drive running cost

How we calculate cost (simple maths you can follow)

Typical power ratings you’ll see

Example - a step-by-step household calculation

A quick comparison of common use patterns

Ways to lower air fryer running costs without changing your menu

Practical tips that save energy

Should you replace other appliances with an air fryer?

Real-life South Africa scenarios

Final checklist before you buy or use

Sources

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