How Much Electricity Do Electric Gates Use? 2026 Running Cost Guide
Updated: Jul 14
Most residential electric gates use less electricity than people expect.
The motors may draw a noticeable amount of power while the gate is moving, but they usually run for less than a minute during each opening and closing cycle. For a lightly used home gate, the electricity consumed while the system is waiting in standby can be as important as the power used by the motors.
So, how much electricity do electric gates use?
A typical residential system may cost somewhere in the region of £14 to £45 a year under the worked examples in this guide. A heavily used commercial system could cost more, particularly if it includes powerful motors, intercoms, heaters, lighting or access-control equipment.
Those figures are not fixed quotations. The true running cost depends on the equipment, standby consumption, gate size and how often the entrance is used.
This guide shows you how to estimate the cost properly.
How much does an electric gate cost to run?
To estimate the running cost, you need four pieces of information:
The combined power of the gate motors
How long they run during each complete cycle
How many times the gate opens and closes each day
How much power the system uses while waiting in standby
You then multiply the total annual electricity use by the unit rate on your energy tariff.
For the examples below, we have used 26.11p per kilowatt-hour, which was Ofgem’s average capped electricity unit rate for customers paying by Direct Debit between 1 July and 30 September 2026.
Your actual tariff may be higher or lower, and Ofgem reviews the price cap every three months. (Ofgem)
The standing charge should not normally be added to the gate’s running cost because you already pay it for having an electricity supply, regardless of whether the gate is used. Ofgem describes the standing charge as a daily amount paid even when no energy is consumed. (Ofgem)
Electric gate running-cost examples
The figures below are examples, not guaranteed costs.
They illustrate how motor power, standby consumption and frequency of use can change the result.
Example system | Assumptions | Estimated annual electricity | Estimated annual cost |
Light residential use | 160W combined motor power, 60 seconds per cycle, 10 cycles daily and 5W standby | 53.5kWh | £14.00 |
Busy residential use | 500W combined motor power, 60 seconds per cycle, 25 cycles daily and 10W standby | 163.6kWh | £42.73 |
Busy commercial use | 500W combined motor power, 60 seconds per cycle, 150 cycles daily and 20W standby | 631.5kWh | £164.87 |
The examples use a range of motor ratings because electric gate equipment varies considerably.
For comparison, official CAME product literature for its ATS swing-gate range lists motor power ratings of 80W for certain 24V models and 250W for certain 230V models. The correct operator must be selected for the actual gate, site and expected usage. (CAME)
These examples do not include every possible accessory. Intercoms, GSM equipment, network connections, electric locks, heaters, lighting and other devices can increase the total.
How to calculate your electric gate electricity cost
You can use this formula:
Annual running cost = annual standby use + annual motor use, multiplied by your electricity unit rate
For a more detailed calculation:
Standby electricity per year:
Standby watts ÷ 1,000 × 24 hours × 365 daysMotor electricity per year:
Combined motor watts ÷ 1,000
× operating seconds per full cycle ÷ 3,600
× cycles per day
× 365Add those two figures together to get the annual electricity use in kilowatt-hours.
Then multiply the result by your electricity price per kilowatt-hour.
Worked residential example
Assume a residential swing gate has:
Two 80W motors
160W combined motor power
30 seconds to open
30 seconds to close
10 complete cycles each day
5W standby consumption
Electricity costing 26.11p per kWh
Motor use:
0.16kW × 60 seconds ÷ 3,600 × 10 × 365
= approximately 9.7kWh per yearStandby use:
0.005kW × 24 × 365
= 43.8kWh per yearTotal:
9.7kWh + 43.8kWh
= 53.5kWh per yearEstimated cost:
53.5kWh × £0.2611
= approximately £14 per yearIn this example, standby consumption costs more than the electricity used while the gate is moving.
That will not be true for every installation, but it shows why motor wattage alone does not provide the full answer.
What affects electric gate electricity consumption?
Several factors determine how much power the gate system uses.
1. The number and type of motors
A single sliding gate may use one motor.
A pair of swing gates will usually require two operators, one for each gate leaf. The combined power of both motors should be used when calculating consumption.
However, this does not mean sliding gates are always cheaper to run than swing gates.
A large, heavy commercial sliding gate may require considerably more power than a small residential swing gate. The result depends on the actual equipment, not simply the way the gate moves.
Our sliding versus swing electric gates guide explains the practical differences between the two systems.
2. Gate size and weight
A larger or heavier gate may require a more powerful operator.
The installer must consider:
Gate-leaf length
Gate weight
Gate material
Wind resistance
Ground levels
Hinge condition
Track condition
Expected daily usage
Opening speed
Site exposure
A solid gate can also catch more wind than an open metal design. The motors must be correctly specified for the structural load and site conditions.
Using an undersized motor does not necessarily save electricity. It may cause poor performance, excessive strain, overheating or premature failure.
3. Frequency of use
A gate used ten times a day will normally consume less electricity through movement than one completing 150 cycles every day.
Frequency matters most for:
Apartment developments
Offices
Schools
Warehouses
Car parks
Gated residential communities
Commercial delivery entrances
Commercial systems may also use higher-duty motors designed for intensive operation.
When specifying the system, the installer should establish how many complete cycles the gate is likely to perform during a normal day and at peak times.
4. Opening and closing time
A slower gate runs its motors for longer during each cycle.
However, a faster gate is not automatically more efficient or suitable. The operating speed must remain appropriate for the gate, its users and the safety system.
The motor may also slow near the end of its travel to create a smoother movement and reduce mechanical stress.
5. Standby power
Electric gates remain connected to power while waiting for a command.
The control panel, receiver and safety equipment may continue drawing electricity even when the gate is stationary.
Newer systems increasingly include energy-saving standby functions. CAME describes energy-saving standby features in its ATS equipment, while Benincà states that several newer operators and control systems comply with current European standby-consumption requirements. (CAME) (Benincà)
Ask the installer for the standby consumption of the complete system, not only the motor.
6. Access-control equipment
The gate motors are only one part of the installation.
Your system may also include:
Audio or video intercoms
Keypads
Fob readers
GSM or mobile-network modules
Wi-Fi equipment
Smartphone gateways
Number-plate recognition
Vehicle-detection loops
Safety photocells
Safety edges
Warning lights
Electric locks
Courtesy lighting
Some accessories only use a small amount of electricity individually. However, devices that remain powered continuously can add to the annual total.
A connected video intercom or network gateway may consume electricity 24 hours a day, even when the gate rarely moves.
7. Mechanical condition
A gate that does not move freely can make the motors work harder.
Possible causes include:
Damaged hinges
Poor alignment
Debris in a sliding track
Worn wheels or rollers
Ground movement
Corrosion
Inadequate lubrication
Obstructions
Poorly balanced gate leaves
Electricity cost is not usually the main reason to maintain an automatic gate. Safety and reliability are more important.
However, correcting mechanical resistance can help the system operate as designed and reduce unnecessary strain.
Do sliding gates use less electricity than swing gates?
Not necessarily.
The old version of this article stated that sliding gates generally consume less power because of their movement. That is too simplistic.
A sliding gate uses one motor, but that motor may need to move a long or heavy gate along a track. A double swing gate usually uses two motors, but the leaves may be smaller and lighter.
The result depends on:
Motor ratings
Gate weight
Gate length
Opening time
Mechanical resistance
Daily cycles
Standby use
Access-control accessories
Compare the technical specifications for the systems proposed for your property rather than choosing a gate style based on assumed electricity savings.
Are 24V gate motors cheaper to run than 230V motors?
A 24V motor is not automatically cheaper simply because the voltage is lower.
Electricity use is measured in watts and kilowatt-hours, not voltage alone.
A 24V system may offer useful features such as battery backup, intensive-use capability, speed control and energy-saving standby functions. However, you need the full equipment specification to compare actual consumption.
Look at:
Rated motor power
Number of motors
Operating time
Control-panel standby consumption
Battery-charging consumption
Connected accessories
Expected daily cycles
The most appropriate motor should be selected for performance, safety and reliability first.
Do electric gates use electricity when they are closed?
Yes.
The motors are not normally running while the gate is closed, but the control panel and connected accessories may remain powered.
The system needs to be ready to receive a signal from a remote, keypad, intercom or other access device.
This background consumption is known as standby power.
For a lightly used residential gate, standby electricity may account for most of the annual consumption. That is why an accurate calculation needs both the motor usage and the standby figure.
Can solar panels power electric gates?
Solar-powered gate automation can be useful where installing a mains cable would be difficult or expensive.
A solar setup normally includes:
A solar panel
Charge controller
Battery
Compatible gate motor
Appropriate control equipment
The system stores electricity in a battery so the gate can operate when sunlight is unavailable.
However, solar is not suitable for every entrance.
Performance depends on:
Panel size
Battery capacity
Daily gate usage
Gate weight
Motor requirements
Seasonal daylight
Shade from buildings or trees
Direction of the panel
Additional access-control equipment
A shaded London entrance with frequent vehicle movements and a continuously powered video intercom may need a different solution from a lightly used rural gate with clear exposure to daylight.
Do not rely on a fixed claim such as “90% electricity savings” without a site-specific energy calculation.
Solar may reduce or remove the gate’s grid electricity use, but the main financial benefit can sometimes come from avoiding difficult trenching and mains-cable installation rather than from saving a few pounds each year in electricity.
Do battery-backup systems use more electricity?
A battery-backup system uses some electricity to keep its batteries charged.
The amount depends on the control equipment, battery type, system condition and how often the backup is used.
A well-designed backup can allow the gate to complete a limited number of operations during a power cut. It should not be confused with an unlimited emergency power supply.
Batteries also deteriorate over time and need inspection or replacement.
Read our guide to using electric gates during a power cut for more information about manual release and backup options.
How can you reduce electric gate electricity use?
Electric gate running costs are usually modest, so safety and reliability should come before small energy savings.
However, there are several sensible ways to avoid unnecessary consumption.
Choose properly specified equipment
A motor should suit the gate’s weight, size, movement and expected usage.
Do not select equipment solely because it has the lowest wattage.
Ask about standby consumption
Request the standby-power figure for the complete installation, including the control panel and essential accessories.
Avoid unnecessary permanently powered accessories
Only install the technology your property needs.
A private driveway may not require the same connected equipment as a commercial development with hundreds of users.
Maintain the gate
Keep hinges, tracks, rollers and moving components in suitable condition.
Arrange inspection when the gate becomes slower, noisier or less consistent.
Review lighting settings
Courtesy and entrance lighting can consume more electricity than the gate motors if it remains on for long periods.
Use appropriate timers, motion controls or efficient lamps.
Switch off unused features properly
Do not disable safety equipment to save electricity.
Ask the installer whether optional, non-safety features can be configured more efficiently without affecting the system’s safe operation.
How can you measure the electricity used by an existing gate?
The most reliable approach is to measure the complete system rather than estimate it from the motor label.
Depending on the installation, a qualified electrician or gate engineer may use appropriate monitoring equipment to measure:
Standby power
Power during opening
Power during closing
Daily electricity use
Accessory consumption
Abnormal changes in consumption
Do not open control panels or alter electrical connections unless you are competent and authorised to do so.
For a rough annual estimate, record:
The standby wattage
The motor wattage
The full opening-and-closing time
The average daily cycle count
The unit rate on your electricity tariff
Then use the calculation shown earlier in this guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a residential electric gate use?
It depends on the motors, standby power and daily usage. Under the illustrative examples in this guide, a residential gate used approximately 53.5kWh to 163.6kWh annually, costing around £14 to £43 at 26.11p per kWh.
These figures are examples rather than guarantees.
Are electric gates expensive to run?
For many homes, electricity is a relatively small part of the overall cost of owning an electric gate.
Installation, servicing, repairs and replacement components are likely to have a greater financial impact than the electricity used by a lightly operated residential system.
How much does it cost to open an electric gate once?
The cost of one movement is usually very small.
For example, a combined 500W motor load running for 60 seconds uses approximately 0.0083kWh. At 26.11p per kWh, that is roughly 0.22 pence per complete opening-and-closing cycle, excluding standby power and accessories.
Does a heavier gate use more electricity?
It may require a more powerful motor, but the actual consumption also depends on the gate design, mechanical condition, movement time and frequency of use.
Does an electric gate increase my standing charge?
No. Your standing charge is a daily charge for the energy connection and does not increase simply because an electric gate has been installed. Your total bill changes according to the additional electricity the gate uses.
Do smart electric gates use more power?
Connected controls, video intercoms, network gateways and other accessories can increase standby consumption.
The increase may still be modest, but it should be included when estimating the complete system’s running cost.
Read our smart electric gates guide for more information about connected access controls.
Can electric gates run entirely on solar power?
Some systems can, provided the panel, battery and operator are properly sized for the location and usage.
Shade, winter daylight, frequent operation and permanently powered accessories can affect performance.
Should I switch the gate off when I go away?
Not without considering security, access and safety requirements.
Switching off the system could prevent authorised users, maintenance contractors or emergency arrangements from working as expected. Ask your installer how the gate should be left during an extended absence.
What is the real cost of owning electric gates?
Electricity is only one part of the cost.
You should also allow for:
Initial installation
Routine servicing
Replacement remotes
Battery replacement
Access-control subscriptions, where applicable
Repairs
Safety-device replacement
Repainting or gate maintenance
Motor or control-board replacement over time
Our electric gate cost guide for London explains the wider installation and ownership costs.
Get an accurate estimate for your gate
There is no universal electricity figure that applies to every automatic gate.
A small residential gate opening ten times a day has very different requirements from a large commercial entrance operating continuously.
Electric Gates London can assess your entrance, expected usage and access-control requirements before recommending a suitable automation system.
Arrange a free site survey to receive a quotation based on your property and the way the entrance will be used.
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