How much does a tumble dryer cost to run?
Turn a dryer's power and cycle length into a monthly electricity estimate. For better accuracy, use measured kWh per cycle from the manual or energy label when available.
How this calculator works
A tumble dryer is one of the most power-hungry appliances in an average home for the short time it runs, which makes the length of each cycle the detail most worth getting right. EuroWattCalc converts the dryer's wattage to kilowatts, multiplies by cycle time and the number of cycles, then applies your electricity price.
What can change the real cost?
- Heat-pump, condenser and vented dryers can have very different energy use even when drum capacity looks similar.
- Loads that come out of the washer with more water need more drying energy.
- Sensor-dry programmes may end earlier than a fixed-time cycle.
For a purchasing comparison, energy per cycle is usually more informative than maximum wattage because it captures both power and run time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use kWh per cycle instead of watts?
Yes. Multiply the published or measured kWh per cycle directly by your electricity price, then multiply by the number of cycles.
Why might my real cost be lower than this result?
Rated power multiplied by the full cycle assumes that power is drawn continuously. Many dryers vary power during a programme.
What is the best way to reduce drying cost?
Reducing the amount of water entering the dryer and avoiding unnecessarily long cycles can reduce energy use. Follow garment and appliance guidance.
Typical tumble dryer running costs
Tumble dryers are consistently among the most expensive common appliances to run per hour of use, which is why the gap between an older vented or condenser dryer and a modern heat-pump model matters so much for a household budget. A heat-pump dryer moves and recycles heat rather than generating nearly all of it from resistive elements, so its average wattage can be a third or less of an older unit's — a difference this calculator makes easy to see once you enter each machine's actual average draw.
| Scenario | Power | Use | Approx. cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat-pump dryer (A+++ rated) | 800–1,000 W avg | 2 h | €0.48–€0.60 |
| Standard condenser dryer | 2,500 W avg | 1 h | €0.75 |
| Vented dryer, older model | 2,800–3,200 W avg | 1 h | €0.84–€0.96 |
| 4 loads/week for a year, condenser | 2,500 W avg | 1 h × 208 loads | ≈€156 |
*Estimated at €0.30/kWh usage price. Your own tariff, appliance model and habits will change the real figure — use the calculator above with your own numbers.
More frequently asked questions
Why do heat-pump dryers cost so much less to run?
Heat-pump dryers recycle heat rather than generating it purely from a resistive element, so their average wattage is much lower than a standard condenser or vented dryer even though a cycle often takes longer. Over a year the efficiency gain typically outweighs the longer run time.
Does an extra spin cycle in the washing machine reduce dryer cost?
Yes. Removing more moisture before drying — via a higher washing-machine spin speed — usually shortens the drying cycle meaningfully, which has a bigger effect on total cost than most people expect.
