Enter how much energy your dryer uses per cycle and how many loads you do a week. A vented or condenser dryer uses roughly 4 to 5 kWh a cycle; a heat-pump dryer about half that.
Tumble dryers are one of the bigger appliance costs because drying takes a lot of energy. The type matters most: heat-pump dryers cost more to buy but use about half the electricity, paying back over time for heavy users. Drying outdoors or on an airer is free; see tumble dryer cost and drying clothes without a tumble dryer.
Common questions
How much does a tumble dryer cost per load?
A typical condenser or vented dryer uses about 4.5 kWh a cycle, roughly £1.18 at 26.11p. A heat-pump dryer uses around half that, near 60p a cycle.
Are heat-pump tumble dryers cheaper to run?
Yes, they use roughly half the electricity of a vented or condenser dryer. They cost more upfront, but for several loads a week the running-cost saving pays that back over a few years.