Tumble Dryer Running Cost Calculator

This calculator is deliberately editable because heat-pump, condenser and vented dryers can use very different amounts of electricity. If your machine shows energy per cycle in kWh, that figure is more accurate than a simple rated-wattage estimate.

Appliance power (watts)Hours per sessionSessions per weekElectricity rate (pence/kWh)

Energy per session3.750 kWh

Cost per session£0.99

Weekly£3.95

Monthly estimate£17.11

Annual estimate£205.30

Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × electricity rate. This is an estimate; cycling appliances may draw less than their full rated power for part of the session.

What the result means

Rated wattage is not the same as average power throughout every cycle.
Energy-label kWh-per-cycle data is preferable when available.
Drying load size, spin speed and programme choice can change real consumption.

Related guides

Read more about the topics covered by this calculator:

Dehumidifier vs tumble dryer

How this calculator works

Formula

Watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × electricity rate (pence/kWh) = cost in pence

Inputs

Dryer power in watts (or use kWh-per-cycle from the energy label)
Cycle duration in hours
Cycles per week
Electricity unit rate in pence per kWh

Outputs

Energy per cycle (kWh)
Cost per cycle
Weekly cost
Monthly estimate
Annual estimate

Assumptions

Rated wattage is used as average power throughout the cycle.
Energy-label kWh-per-cycle data is more accurate when available.
Load size, spin speed and programme choice affect real consumption.

Example calculation

A 2,500W condenser dryer running 1.5 hours at 26.32p/kWh: 2,500 ÷ 1,000 × 1.5 × 26.32 = 98.7p per cycle.

Tariff source

Default rates from Ofgem. Override in calculator for your actual tariff.

Limitations

Heat-pump dryers use significantly less energy (typically 800–1,200W) but run longer cycles.
Energy-label kWh data is the most accurate input when available.
Condenser and vented dryers are generally less efficient than heat-pump types.