A: A tumble dryer is generally more expensive to run than a washing machine. Tumble dryers consume more electricity per cycle, especially traditional vented models. In contrast, washing machines use less energy, particularly when operated on efficient cycles.
How much does it cost to run a tumble dryer for an hour? According to Heatable, a 2500W tumble dryer costs about 85p to use for an hour. However, the tumble dryer cost per hour depends on the energy efficiency rating of your tumble dryer and the cost of energy at the time.
Your average 9kg condenser tumble dryer will use around 5.2 kWh for a full load cycle. Using your dryer two times a week will give you an average annual usage of 617 kWh – which translates to £1.51 for each cycle and £178.93 a year. Your average 9kg heat pump tumble dryer will use around 2.16 kWh for a full load cycle.
As with any heated drying device, heated airers use electricity to help dry your clothes. Despite this, many heated airers use very little electricity in comparison to a traditional tumble dryer, making them more cost-effective and better for the environment than a traditional dryer.
Tumble dryers at the affordable end are less energy efficient, so could cost you more in the long-run. Heat pump tumble dryers are more expensive up-front, but don't require so much electricity to generate heat, making them more energy efficient and cheaper in the long-run.
On the other hand, dehumidifiers are a much more cost-effective option, with some models costing only a fraction of the price of a tumble dryer. Plus, as mentioned earlier, they consume less electricity, making them an even more budget-friendly choice for drying clothes.
Disadvantages of tumble drying
One significant disadvantage is its high energy consumption, which can contribute to increased electricity bills. Also, it is essential to be mindful of potential fabric damage, as the heat can cause shrinkage or damage to delicate fabrics if not used correctly.
Heated airers could make a world of difference
They can be placed anywhere to dry clothes quickly and easily and are often cheaper to run than a tumble dryer or having to rely on your heating. Just plug in the airer and it will gently heat up to dry your clothes in a few hours.
Heated airers can dry a light load of delicates in anything from 1 to 3 hours but if you're drying a heavy load of towels, woolly jumpers or jeans, it could take up to 10 hours. Whilst these times are long, it's a more gentle dry and you don't run the risk of shrinking which can happen when using the tumble dryer.
Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.
The cheapest type of tumble dryer to run is a heat pump dryer. While they typically come with a higher initial purchase cost, heat pump dryers are highly energy-efficient, using lower temperatures and less electricity to dry clothes.
If you have a 2100W (2.1 kW) washing machine and you run it for an hour, it'll use 2.1kWh of electricity in that hour. If electricity costs 34p per unit, multiply 2.1kWh by 34p and you get a grand total of 71p.
Do dryers use a lot of power? Yes, though they do so over a shorter period of time than many other popular appliances. For example, let's compare your dryer to your TV, which (if relatively new) will use between 100-300 watts. Your TV could cost you a tenth of what your dryer costs you in the same period.
On top of this, off-peak electricity is also available between the hours of 10pm and 8am, which can make all the difference when running your tumble dryer. However, it is important to keep in mind that you shouldn't leave your tumble dryer running for hours during the night unattended as this could become a fire risk.
A vented tumble dryer will be more cost effective than a condenser in both the purchase and running stages, if you are able to find somewhere to run the hose externally. It will also dry your clothes more quickly than a condenser dryer, as it is not required to spend time converting the hot air into water.
Heated airers take longer to dry clothes, however running a two-tier rack for eight hours a day to dry a couple of loads will cost less than using a tumble dryer.
Put a dehumidifier next to your clothes airer
Dehumidifiers work by drawing in air, removing the moisture, then blowing drier air back out into the room – so positioning one next to your drying rack can help to remove dampness from the air as your clothes or sheets dry out.
Vented dryers are available in a range of drum sizes and styles, with a model to suit every budget, so are an ideal choice option for making laundry day easier. We stock appliances from every major brand, including Bosch, AEG and Whirlpool, all at competitive prices.
Don't leave appliances unattended – don't turn the tumble dryer on before you leave the house or go to bed. Tumble dryers contain powerful motors with fast moving parts that can get very hot.
Absolutely, but it will depend on your specific usage. The more frequently you use your dryer, the quicker you'll recoup the initial expense through reduced energy bills. Many users find that they break even within a couple of years.
A clothes dryer (tumble dryer, drying machine, or simply dryer) is a powered household appliance that is used to remove moisture from a load of clothing, bedding and other textiles, usually after they are washed in the washing machine.
The biggest difference in the drying ability is the moisture produced by the heated airer, which can make the room and clothes smell a little damp if you don't completely dry them in one blast. This isn't an issue with a dehumidifier which works by lowering the humidity in a room.
Slimline tumble dryers offer a convenient size to fit into any narrow space in your kitchen or utility. We have collated a list of brands that meet your needs for a small tumble dryer. Each brand provides a tumble dryer at a width of 490mm or less.
When you're drying clothes indoors, try to position your washing near an open window or somewhere with good airflow. Avoid layering too many clothes on top of one another as this can delay the drying process.