How much does a conventional tumble dryer cost to run?
This worked example uses 2,500 W, 1.2 hours on each use day and 156 use days per year. Change any of these inputs in the calculator.
468 kWh/year · 3.00 kWh per use day
Electricity-price sensitivity
| Electricity price | Energy/use day | Annual energy | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15p/kWh | 3.00 kWh/day when used | 468 kWh/year | £70/yr |
| 25p/kWh | 3.00 kWh/day when used | 468 kWh/year | £117/yr |
| 35p/kWh | 3.00 kWh/day when used | 468 kWh/year | £164/yr |
Important assumption
Cycle energy varies greatly by load, programme and dryer type. This example represents three 1.2-hour cycles per week.
What changes tumble dryer electricity use?
Conventional tumble-dryer consumption depends heavily on load size, spin speed before drying, sensor accuracy and programme choice. A dryer may use several times more energy per cycle than a washing machine, so weekly cycle count can strongly influence household electricity use.
Make this estimate more realistic
Use kWh per cycle rather than rated watts where possible. Compare the same load size and dryness target, and consider how often the dryer is actually used across the year. If evaluating a heat-pump dryer, feed the measured or label cycle figures into the separate payback calculator.
Electricity prices change, so the 15p, 25p and 35p/kWh rows are sensitivity examples rather than a current-tariff claim. Use the linked calculator with the unit rate shown on your own bill before relying on the annual cost.