Cost to Dry Clothes With a Dehumidifier in the UK

How Much Electricity Does a Dehumidifier Use?

Most dehumidifiers used for laundry drying consume between 200 and 300 watts.

The electricity consumption of a dehumidifier depends on its size, type, and compressor technology. Compressor dehumidifiers typically use 200-500W at full power, while desiccant models use 300-700W [S1].

When drying clothes, a dehumidifier does not always run at full power. As moisture levels drop, the compressor cycles on and off, reducing average consumption to roughly 200-300W for most models during a typical drying session [S1].

• Compressor dehumidifiers: 200-500W at full power [S1]
• Desiccant dehumidifiers: 300-700W at full power [S1]
• Average during clothes drying: 200-300W
• Energy use varies with room temperature and humidity

How Long Does It Take to Dry Clothes?

A dehumidifier typically takes 6-10 hours to dry a full load of laundry indoors.

Drying time depends on how wet the clothes are, room temperature, humidity, air circulation, and the dehumidifier's extraction rate [S1]. A spin-dried load at 1,400rpm will dry faster than one from a 800rpm spin.

Placing the dehumidifier in a small, enclosed room with good air circulation speeds up drying. A large open room or a cold conservatory will take significantly longer.

• Spin-dried load (1,400rpm): approximately 6-8 hours
• Spin-dried load (800rpm): approximately 8-10 hours
• Very wet load: 10-14 hours
• Smaller loads dry faster than full loads

Cost Per Load Calculation

At 26.32p/kWh, a typical dehumidifier drying session costs 30-80p.

To calculate the cost, multiply the dehumidifier's wattage by hours used, divide by 1,000, and multiply by the unit rate [S2]. A 250W dehumidifier running for 8 hours uses 2 kWh, costing approximately 53p at 26.32p/kWh.

These costs do not include the standing charge, which applies daily regardless. The marginal cost of running a dehumidifier for clothes drying is the electricity used during the drying session [S2].

Dehumidifier vs Tumble Dryer Cost

A dehumidifier costs roughly 30-80p per load, compared with £1-3 for a condenser tumble dryer.

A condenser tumble dryer typically uses 2-5 kWh per load, costing £1-3 at current rates [S3]. A heat pump tumble dryer is more efficient, using 1-2 kWh per load (60p-£1.50), but still more expensive than a dehumidifier [S3].

The main trade-off is speed. A tumble dryer dries clothes in 1-2 hours, while a dehumidifier takes 6-10 hours. However, the cost saving can be substantial — up to £10-15 per week for a household drying multiple loads [S3].

• Dehumidifier: 30-80p per load
• Condenser tumble dryer: £1-3 per load [S3]
• Heat pump tumble dryer: 60p-£1.50 per load [S3]
• Dehumidifier is slower but significantly cheaper

Tips to Reduce Drying Costs

Use the highest spin speed, dry smaller loads, and close the room door.

The most effective way to reduce drying costs is to spin clothes at the highest speed before drying — this removes more water mechanically, reducing the dehumidifier's workload [S1].

Close the room door to keep moisture contained, use a fan to circulate air around the clothes, and avoid drying very large loads that take much longer [S1].

• Use highest spin speed (1,400rpm if available)
• Close the room door during drying
• Use a small fan to circulate air
• Avoid overloading the drying rack
• Dry smaller loads more frequently rather than one large load

Best Dehumidifiers for Clothes Drying

Compressor dehumidifiers with a 20-25L extraction rate are best for indoor laundry drying.

For clothes drying, a compressor dehumidifier with at least 20 litres per day extraction capacity is recommended [S1]. This provides enough moisture removal to dry a full load efficiently.

Desiccant dehumidifiers work better in cold rooms (below 15°C) but use more electricity. If your drying room is well-heated, a compressor model is typically more cost-effective [S1].

• Compressor 20-25L: best for most homes
• Desiccant: better for cold rooms below 15°C
• Look for a model with a laundry drying mode
• Ensure the tank capacity is adequate or use continuous drainage

Frequently asked questions

Bottom line

Drying clothes with a dehumidifier costs approximately 30-80p per load at current Ofgem rates (26.32p/kWh) [S2]. This is substantially cheaper than a tumble dryer, though drying takes longer (6-10 hours). Using the highest spin speed and closing the room door reduces costs further.