How much does a tumble dryer cost to run?
At Ofgem’s Great Britain Direct Debit comparison rate of 26.32p per kWh for 1 October to 31 December 2026, a cycle using 0.9 kWh costs about 24p, a 1.5 kWh cycle about 39p and a 2.5 kWh cycle about 66p. These examples show how to do the arithmetic; they are not typical-use claims for every dryer.
Tumble dryers vary much more than a simple fixed-power appliance. The heater or heat pump switches during the programme, sensors may stop the cycle when the load is dry, and cotton, synthetics, load size and spin speed can all change consumption. Use the standardised energy-label figure to compare models, then use a plug-in energy monitor suitable for the appliance if you want to measure a real cycle.
- 0.9 kWh cycle: 0.9 × 26.32p = 23.69p, or about 24p.
- 1.5 kWh cycle: 1.5 × 26.32p = 39.48p, or about 39p.
- 2.5 kWh cycle: 2.5 × 26.32p = 65.80p, or about 66p.
- Four 1.5 kWh cycles a week: about £1.58 a week or £82.12 over 52 weeks.
Calculate the cost from your dryer’s energy label
For a label showing kWh per 100 drying cycles, use: cost per cycle = label kWh ÷ 100 × unit rate. A label showing 150 kWh per 100 cycles therefore represents 1.5 kWh for the weighted eco-cycle comparison. At 26.32p per kWh, 1.5 × 26.32p gives 39.48p per cycle.
Some dryers in Great Britain may still carry the established label showing weighted annual energy use based on 160 standard cotton cycles. For that format, divide the annual kWh by 160 before multiplying by your rate. A figure of 240 kWh a year works out as 1.5 kWh per standardised cycle and the same illustrative 39.48p cost.
GOV.UK says suppliers in Great Britain may currently use either the existing GB label and product fiche or a temporary easement label. That is why shoppers can see different scales and formats. Focus on the energy-consumption number and product sheet, not just the coloured efficiency letter. The standard programme may also take longer than the cycle you normally choose.
Worked monthly and annual examples
Suppose a household runs a dryer four times a week and its weighted cycle uses 1.5 kWh. That is 6 kWh a week. At 26.32p per kWh it costs £1.5792, rounded to £1.58 a week. Across 52 weeks, 312 kWh costs £82.1184, rounded to £82.12.
For a lighter pattern of eight cycles a month, the same dryer uses 12 kWh and costs £3.16 at the illustrative rate. A 2.5 kWh machine used eight times consumes 20 kWh and costs £5.26. Multiply your own cycle figure by the number of loads you expect rather than assuming a national-average laundry routine.
Do not add the standing charge to each cycle. The standing charge belongs in the calculation of the whole household bill and is payable even on a day when the dryer is not used.
Heat pump, condenser and vented dryer costs
Electrical Safety First describes three main types. A heat pump dryer recirculates heat and is more energy-efficient than condenser and vented dryers. A conventional condenser dryer collects moisture without needing an outside vent, while a vented model sends damp air through an extractor hose and needs suitable installation.
The type alone does not give an exact running cost. Compare the weighted kWh on the labels of the particular models, using the same basis and programme. Heat pump models often take longer, but duration is not the same as energy use: a lower-power process can run for longer and still consume fewer kWh.
Citizens Advice gives a separate consumer illustration of £1.25 per cycle for a condenser dryer using a 25p unit rate. It also notes that tumble dryers vary their electricity draw during a cycle. Treat that figure as a broad comparison, not a substitute for your own label and tariff.
Why your actual cycle may cost more or less
Clothes that leave the washing machine wetter need more energy to dry. Use the highest spin speed that is suitable for the fabric and washing instructions. Dry similar fabrics together, because mixed loads can leave some items damp after others are ready.
Citizens Advice recommends using auto-dry where available, not overfilling the drum, and cleaning filters regularly. Auto-dry can stop the programme when sensors detect that the clothes are dry. Overfilling can restrict airflow and make drying take longer; very small loads can also be an inefficient use of a full cycle.
Air drying costs no electricity. Energy Saving Trust says avoiding the tumble dryer by line drying outside or using racks indoors can save around £50 a year in Great Britain and £60 in Northern Ireland, although the saving depends on existing use. When drying indoors, keep the room appropriately ventilated and avoid blocking heaters.
Use your tariff, not the national comparison rate
Ofgem’s 26.32p figure is an average price-cap rate for a standard variable tariff paid by Direct Debit in England, Scotland and Wales. Your rate can differ by region, payment method, tariff and meter. A fixed deal is not necessarily priced at the cap.
Northern Ireland has a separate electricity market and Ofgem’s cap does not apply there. In every part of the UK, take the pence-per-kWh figure from your own bill or tariff information. If you use a time-of-use tariff, multiply the cycle’s kWh by the rate that applies while it runs; a cycle crossing two price periods needs a measured or reasonable split.
Cut costs without compromising safety
Clean lint and fluff from the filter and around the door after every use, following the manufacturer’s instructions for any additional filters or condenser maintenance. Electrical Safety First warns against plugging a tumble dryer into an extension lead and recommends sufficient ventilation around the appliance.
Do not run a dryer overnight or while you are out. Let the programme complete; if you must stop it early, Electrical Safety First advises removing the items quickly and leaving the door open so heat can escape. Never tumble-dry clothes contaminated with combustible substances such as oils, grease or solvents.
Register the appliance so the manufacturer can contact you about safety action, and check recall information. Stop using it if you notice scorching, a hot plug or socket, damaged wiring, buzzing, repeated blown fuses or circuit-breaker trips; contact the retailer, manufacturer or a qualified repair technician.
Tumble dryer running cost FAQs
How much does a tumble dryer cost per cycle?
Multiply the cycle’s kWh by your electricity unit rate. At 26.32p per kWh, a 1.5 kWh cycle costs about 39p and a 2.5 kWh cycle about 66p. Your dryer’s label or product sheet gives a better energy estimate than its maximum wattage alone.
How do I use kWh per 100 cycles?
Divide the label figure by 100 to estimate weighted kWh per eco cycle, then multiply by your pence-per-kWh rate. For example, 150 kWh per 100 cycles becomes 1.5 kWh per cycle.
Are heat pump tumble dryers cheaper to run?
Heat pump dryers are generally more energy-efficient than condenser and vented dryers. Compare the weighted kWh figures for the exact models: purchase price, capacity, programme duration and expected number of cycles also matter.
Is it safe to run a tumble dryer overnight?
Electrical Safety First recommends avoiding overnight use and not leaving the dryer unattended until it has cooled. Clean the lint filter after every use, do not use an extension lead and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Estimate your electricity bill
Add the dryer’s calculated or measured kWh to the rest of your household use when estimating the full bill. Use your actual unit rate and do not assign the daily standing charge to each load: you pay that charge whether or not the dryer runs.
Sources
Tariff figures, energy-labelling rules, consumer guidance and safety recommendations were checked against these sources on 21 October 2026: