How do I work out what my own tumble dryer costs?

Multiply the kWh it uses each time by your unit rate. At the Great Britain average of 26.32p a kWh, every kWh costs 26p.

Does it cost more in some parts of the country?

Slightly. The electricity unit rate under the cap runs from 25.36p a kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and North Wales, so the same use costs about 10% more in the dearest region. Pick yours in the calculator.

Running costs

How much does it cost to run a tumble dryer?

About £1.33 a load, at the price cap for 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026. Used 3 loads a week, that’s about £209 a year.

A vented or condenser dryer drying a full load, from NEA’s per-cycle costs. A heat pump dryer uses much less.

Verified: 23 October 2026 from Ofgem price cap rates

Work out yours

Your electricity price

Energy for one load

kWh

Times a week

A load

£1.33

A week

£4.00

A month

£17.40

A year

£209

793 kWh a year. Unit rate only: the standing charge is paid whether or not anything is switched on.

A vented or condenser dryer heats air with an element, which makes it one of the most expensive appliances to run per use. A heat pump dryer recycles the heat and uses far less: Which? puts three large loads a week at about £41 a year in a heat pump dryer.

The cost per load depends mostly on how wet the clothes are going in and how full the drum is.

Ways to spend less

Spin at the highest speed the clothes allow before drying.
Dry full loads, and dry heavy and light fabrics separately.
Clean the lint filter every time; a blocked filter makes every load take longer.

Compared with

Appliance	Typical cost	A year, used as shown
Tumble dryer	£1.33 a load	£209 (3 loads a week)
Heated clothes airer	7p an hour	£58 (5 hours, 3 times a week)
Dehumidifier	6p an hour	£166 (8 hours a day)

At the Great Britain average electricity rate of 26.32p a kWh.

Common questions

How much does it cost to run a tumble dryer?: About £1.33 a load, at the price cap for 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026. Used 3 loads a week, that’s about £209 a year. A vented or condenser dryer drying a full load, from NEA’s per-cycle costs. A heat pump dryer uses much less.
How do I work out what my own tumble dryer costs?: Multiply the kWh it uses each time by your unit rate. At the Great Britain average of 26.32p a kWh, every kWh costs 26p.
Does it cost more in some parts of the country?: Slightly. The electricity unit rate under the cap runs from 25.36p a kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and North Wales, so the same use costs about 10% more in the dearest region. Pick yours in the calculator.

Other appliances

Add up several appliances in the electricity cost calculator, or see what your own home uses with the smart meter analyser.