A tumble dryer is an invaluable appliance for drying laundry when you can’t depend on the sun. After placing your wash load inside the drum and setting the programme, the heater will increase the temperature and blow in hot air. The excess moisture will be drawn out of the clothes and leave the dryer via a hose and vent, or from a condenser dryer into the reservoir.
Although tumble dryers have a reputation for being expensive, they’re becoming more energy efficient. How much does a tumble dryer cost to run? Find out more here…
Get answers to some frequently asked questions:
How much does it cost to run a tumble dryer?
Research has shown that a highly efficient tumble dryer will cost in the region of£30 a year with the average being about £60 annually to run. There are certain factors that actually determine the costs and these include:
- The energy efficiency rating – the most economical tumble dryers have an energy rating of A+++ meaning a cost of up to 25p per cycle. A D rating can increase this cycle cost to over 70p.
- Tumble dryer type – heat pump dryers tend to be the most energy-efficient compared to condenser and vented models
- Drying capacity – appliances with larger drum capacities use more energy per cycle resulting in higher usage costs
- Maintenance – for maximum airflow a clean filter is essential making the tumble dryer more effective and cheaper to run
- Usage – carrying out pre-tumble drying tasks will help reduce running costs. These include spinning clothes for longer and drying similar fabrics together
How much electricity does a tumble dryer use?
Tumble dryers basically use from 2kWh of electricity to 4.5kWh depending on the make and model of your appliance. You can get more from your tumble dryer by choosing the most efficient type on the market, maintaining your appliance by cleaning the filter and the heat exchange on a regular basis, and fastening zips, poppers, and buttons.
How much energy does a tumble dryer use?
The average tumble dryer uses around 4.5 kWh per cycle. Based on the cost of energy in the UK is 14.37 pence per kWh an average tumble dryer would cost you around 67p per cycle, and depending on use, approximately £80 annually.
Based on the energy use of 2.5 kWh and an average load capacity of 4.75kg the following yearly costs would apply:
- 5 times a week – £114
- 4 times a week – £92
- 3 times a week – £68
- Twice a week – £46
- Once a week – £23
All prices will vary depending on the make and model of your tumble dryer.
Does a washer and dryer use more electricity?
The answer again depends on the energy rating efficiency. The highest rating of A is calculated on size, drum capacity, and average energy consumption. An A-rated washer-dryer may use more energy than a smaller B rated model.
Drying a full load of washing costs around 70p – doing this for every load of washing will cost over £183 per year based on five loads per week. These figures are based on a full wash and dry cycle with a maximum load. Costs will reduce if you purchase a more expensive model with savings of up to £60 per year.
Need professional help?
Getting a tumble dryer repair in London is easy – simply contact local domestic appliance repair specialists. Any work will be carried out by highly trained technicians using advanced tools and equipment. There are six days a week availability with short notice appointments for urgent issues. Arrange a fully insured service with a six-month quality guarantee to fix your tumble dryer faults.