Oven Element Price: What It Costs to Replace and When to DIY

When your oven won’t heat up, the oven element, the metal coil inside your oven that generates heat. Also known as a heating element, it’s one of the most common parts to fail in electric ovens. It’s not a mystery—over time, these coils wear out from constant heating and cooling cycles. You might see dark spots, cracks, or just notice your oven takes forever to preheat. Replacing it isn’t hard, but the oven element price can vary depending on your oven model, brand, and whether you do it yourself or hire someone.

The electric oven element, a direct replacement part for the heating coil in most electric ovens usually costs between £30 and £80 in the UK. Higher-end models or those with special features like hidden elements or fan-assisted designs can push that up to £120. Labor adds another £50 to £100 if you get a technician in. But here’s the thing: most people can swap it out in under an hour with basic tools. That means you could save yourself £100+ by doing it yourself—if you’re comfortable turning off the power and unplugging the oven first.

Not all oven elements are the same. Some are top-only, others are top and bottom. Some snap in, others screw in. Your oven’s make and model determines the exact part you need. Brands like BOSCH, ZANUSSI, and Indesit often have different connectors or shapes. Don’t just grab the cheapest one online—check your oven’s manual or the old element’s label for the correct part number. A mismatch won’t just not work—it could damage your control board or cause a safety issue.

Before you buy anything, check if the problem is really the element. Sometimes the thermostat, timer, or even the wiring is at fault. You can test the element with a multimeter to see if it’s getting power. If it’s completely dead, replacing it makes sense. But if your oven heats unevenly or only works on one setting, it might be something else. That’s why the oven repair cost, the total expense of diagnosing and fixing a malfunctioning oven can vary so much—it’s not always the part, it’s the diagnosis.

And here’s a tip: if your oven is over 10 years old and you’re spending more than half the cost of a new one on repairs, it’s worth thinking about replacement. New ovens are more energy efficient, have better controls, and often come with warranties. But if your oven’s in good shape otherwise, replacing the element is a smart, low-cost fix.

You’ll find plenty of guides below showing you exactly how to test, remove, and install a new element. Some posts walk you through the tools you need. Others compare prices across brands. A few even explain how to spot fake or low-quality replacements that won’t last. Whether you’re just curious about the oven heating element replacement, the process of swapping out a worn-out heating coil in an electric oven or ready to do it yourself, these real-world examples give you the facts without the fluff.