Fast boiling saves money
Electric kettles pull a lot of power—usually between 1,200 and 1,500 watts. But because they heat water directly and shut off the moment it boils, they do the job in just a few minutes. That makes them one of the cheapest ways to boil water.
Don't overfill the kettle
If you fill a large kettle to the brim just to make one cup of tea, you pay to heat water you will not use. Pour in only what you need to cut the boiling time and the electricity cost in half.
Kettle vs. microwave
A kettle is generally more efficient than a microwave for boiling water because the heating element sits directly inside the water. The microwave loses some energy in the conversion to microwaves and heating the cup itself.
Rate source and limits
The default rate is the EIA U.S. residential average for April 2026, retrieved July 16, 2026. It is an average revenue per kilowatt-hour, not a quote for your utility plan. Fixed fees, taxes, tiers, and time-of-use prices can change the bill.
Open the EIA source