Tumble dryer running costs: kWh per load explained

Where to find the figures

Every tumble dryer sold in the UK comes with an energy label and a product information sheet. The label shows the energy class and an annual energy consumption in kWh, based on a set number of standard cycles a year. The product information sheet, available from the maker or retailer, usually lists the energy for a full load and a part load on the standard cotton programme.

Divide the annual figure by the number of cycles it is based on, which is stated on the label or sheet, to get an average kWh per cycle. Or use the full-load figure directly. Our explainer on heat pump vs condenser tumble dryers explains why the types differ so much.

Turning kWh into pence

Multiply kWh per load by your unit rate in pence per kWh from your bill. Multiply again by loads per week to see a weekly figure. Our running-cost calculator lets you enter kWh per cycle for a dryer and compare it with a dehumidifier or heated airer.

1. 1

   Find kWh per load on the label or product sheet

2. 2

   Multiply by your unit rate in pence

3. 3

   Multiply by loads per week

4. 4

   Multiply by 52 for a year

What changes the real cost

Spin speed. Wetter clothes take longer to dry. A higher spin on the washing machine cuts dryer time and kWh more than almost anything else.

Sensor drying. Dryers that stop when the clothes are dry avoid over-running. Timed cycles often run longer than needed.

Load size. Very small loads waste energy per item; overloaded drums dry unevenly and take longer. Fill to the maker's recommendation for the programme.

Clean filters. A clogged lint filter or condenser restricts airflow and lengthens cycles. Clean the lint filter after every load and the condenser or heat exchanger filter as the manual says.

Room temperature. Dryers in cold garages and outbuildings can take longer, and heat pump models may struggle below the temperature in the manual.

Energy labels and classes

Tumble dryer labels have used classes running up to A+++. Heat pump models usually sit at the top, with condenser and vented models lower. Label formats are updated from time to time, so compare the kWh figures rather than relying on the letter alone, especially when one model has a newer label than another.

Cheaper alternatives for some loads

For one or two loads a week in winter, an airer with a dehumidifier in a closed room usually uses fewer kWh than a condenser or vented dryer, and keeps condensation down. A heated airer is also low cost per hour. See dehumidifier vs tumble dryer, heated airer vs tumble dryer and the cheapest way to dry clothes indoors for comparisons.

See low energy dehumidifiers →

Should you replace an old dryer?

If you dry several loads a week on an old condenser or vented dryer, a heat pump model can cut kWh per load sharply. Work out your weekly kWh now and compare it with the label of a heat pump model. If you dry rarely, the saving may take many years to cover the purchase price, and an alternative method for occasional loads may make more sense.

Frequently asked questions

How many kWh does a tumble dryer use per load? Often around 4 to 5 kWh or more for a condenser or vented model on a full load, and around 1 to 2.5 kWh for a heat pump model. Check your model's label.

Is it cheaper to use a tumble dryer at night? Only if you are on a tariff with a cheaper night rate. On a single-rate tariff the cost per kWh is the same at any time.

Do dryer balls save energy? They may help airflow and separate items, but spin speed, sensor drying and clean filters make a much bigger difference.