For even more savings, consider ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryers - they use almost 30% less energy than a conventional clothes dryers. Consumers with high clothes dryer usage and high electricity rates have the potential for large energy and cost savings.
Heat pump condenser dryers — These are more expensive but much more energy efficient as they capture and reuse their heat energy.
Saving energy and saving money go hand in hand here. The most energy-efficient tumble dryers – hence the cheapest to run – are heat pump tumble dryers. Condenser dryers come next, closely followed by vented dryers. Gas tumble dryers are comparable to heat pump dryers in terms of energy efficiency and cost.
For even more savings, consider ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryers - they use around 70% less energy than a conventional clothes dryers.
If however you're looking for a money saving option a condenser tumble dryer could be the better choice, heat pump models being the most efficient but bear in mind that they take longer to dry than normal condenser models as they dry at lower temperatures.
Energy use
We've previously found condenser dryers to not be very energy efficient. Along with older vented varieties, they use around three times more energy to dry a load than their heat pump counterparts. This means vented and condenser dryers cost more to run in the long term than a heat pump.
Air-vented dryers draw air from the room in which they are installed, heat it and lead it through the humid clothing in the drum to evaporate the moisture. The humid air is then expelled to the external environment. Air-vented dryers thus require an exhaust to the outside, making them less practical.
“Heat pump” dryers consume even less energy (saving 20-60% more than standard models) by using and recirculating ambient heat to dry clothes while removing moisture. Consumers with high clothes dryer usage and high electricity rates have the potential for large energy and cost savings.
If you're looking for a washer and dryer that will last a long time, Samsung is right up there with LG and Whirlpool in terms of longevity. Like Maytag, Samsung appliances typically require fewer repairs.
Heat pump tumble dryers are much more energy efficient than other types of machine, which means they're kinder on your wallet and the environment. These machines use up to 60% less electricity than a conventional condenser or vented tumble dryer while still being able to deliver the same performance.
They cause up to 15 percent more than vented dryers, however the majority of models now come with heat pump technology that has credible energy ratings. Condenser dryers are slightly more expensive than vented dryers, but, they offer convenience which many people want when it comes to the washing!
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.
Unlike condenser dryers, which convert hot air into water, vented tumble dryers expel hot air through external vent. This keeps your utility bills to a minimum, as the appliance does not covert hot air into water; it simply expels the air from your home.
While simpler in design than heat pump models, condenser dryers use more energy because they generate new heat for each cycle rather than recycling it. However, they typically dry clothes faster and cost less to purchase initially.
Dryers generally cost between $800 and $1,200, with factors like dryer size, dryer depth, and dryer capacity influencing the price. Washer-dryer combo units fall within the $1,200 to $1,700 range, offering a space-saving built-in laundry solution.
If a fast drying speed is the key factor for you, a vented model might be your preference. If space, budget and lifestyle allow, however, and you're happy with the slightly longer drying times that come with reduced energy usage and running costs, a heat pump clothes dryer is probably the best choice.
We recommend emptying every time you use it. Do heat pump dryers take longer to dry? Yes they do but they will save you money as they use much less energy than condenser dryers.
No, washers and dryers do not qualify for an energy tax credit, but ENERGY STAR-certified electric heat pump clothes dryers may be eligible for rebates under the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program in the future. Check the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit for more details.
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.
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. (You could also consider a space-saving washer-dryer, but the performance won't match the specialist tumble dryers or washing machines.)
Using lower temperature settings may mean it takes a bit longer for your clothes to dry, but it also uses less energy. Opting for these settings can contribute to significant energy savings over time. Consider using dryer balls.
Vented dryers dry more clothes more quickly, but they require a tube to pump out the hot air generated during a drying cycle. Because of this, they are generally larger and louder, but they do a much better job of drying clothes than ventless dryers.
Per the requirements of the International Residential Code, Section M1502 (2009-2021 IRC), the clothes dryer exhaust duct should be a rigid or semi-rigid metal duct made of galvanized steel or galvanized aluminum with a smooth interior finish and a duct diameter of 4 inches.
The average life expectancy of a dryer is around 10-13 years. And no matter how great your clothes dryer is, all appliances will wear down eventually.