Indoor Laundry
Laundry Drying Cost Calculator
This calculator goes beyond a single-load comparison. Enter how many loads you dry per week and see the cost impact over weeks, months and years. Adjust watts and runtime for each method to match your own appliances.
Dehumidifier
Heated airer
Dehumidifier + airer
Heat-pump tumble dryer
Condenser/vented dryer
Cost breakdown (sorted cheapest first)
| Method | Energy/load | Cost/load | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heated airer | 1.80 kWh | £0.47 | £1.90 | £8.21 | £98.54 |
| Dehumidifier | 2.00 kWh | £0.53 | £2.11 | £9.12 | £109.49 |
| Heat-pump tumble dryer | 2.50 kWh | £0.66 | £2.63 | £11.41 | £136.86 |
| Dehumidifier + airer | 3.30 kWh | £0.87 | £3.47 | £15.06 | £180.66 |
| Condenser/vented dryer | 3.75 kWh | £0.99 | £3.95 | £17.11 | £205.30 |
Formula: (watts ÷ 1,000) × hours per load × electricity rate = cost per load. Weekly cost = cost per load × loads per week. Monthly = weekly × 52 ÷ 12. Annual = weekly × 52. Actual costs vary by appliance efficiency, load size, spin speed and room conditions.
What the result means
- Results are estimates based on the wattage, runtime and load frequency you enter.
- A dehumidifier used alongside a heated airer combines their power draw for the overlapping period.
- Heat-pump dryers typically use 40–60% less energy than standard condenser dryers.
- Actual costs depend on load size, spin speed, room temperature, humidity and ventilation.
Related guides
Read more about the topics covered by this calculator: