Tumble Dryer Cost Calculator
Written by Thierno Sadou Diallo, formula verified per our methodology • Last checked on 9/9/2026
A tumble dryer's annual cost is calculated with consumption per cycle × number of cycles per week × 52 × price per kWh. For 4 cycles a week, a heat-pump model costs about €62 a year, versus about €158 for a vented model — more than double for the same use.
Explanation
A tumble dryer's technology makes a considerable difference to its electricity consumption, far more than the brand or the wattage shown: a heat-pump dryer recycles the heat produced during drying instead of venting it out, and runs at a lower temperature (50-60°C) than a classic model (70-80°C), which reduces its consumption to about 1.5 kWh per cycle, versus about 3.5 kWh for a condenser model and 3.8 kWh for a vented model — more than double the gap. This difference directly shows up in the annual bill: for regular use of several cycles a week, the gap between the two technologies can amount to a hundred euros a year. The higher purchase price of a heat-pump model is therefore generally offset after a few years of regular use, a payback calculation comparable to the one already presented for LED bulbs. Beyond the technology itself, air-drying laundry remains the cheapest and lowest-emission option whenever climate and available space allow it: this calculator gives the cost of the dryer itself, to compare against natural drying, which remains free. For the electricity cost of another appliance set in hours per day rather than cycles, see our electricity cost calculator.
Example: a heat-pump dryer, 4 cycles a week
Inputs
Technology: heat pump. Cycles per week: 4. Price per kWh: €0.2001.
Calculation
Annual cost = 1.5 × 4 × 52 × 0.2001 = 312 × 0.2001 ≈ €62.43.
Result
This dryer costs about €62.43 a year at this usage rate.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a heat-pump dryer consume so much less?
Because it recycles the heat already produced during the drying cycle instead of venting it outside (like a vented model) or continuously condensing it (like a classic condenser model), and because it runs at a lower temperature (50-60°C versus 70-80°C). This technology, similar to a reversed refrigerator, requires a higher upfront investment but greatly reduces electricity consumption at each cycle.
Is a heat-pump model's higher purchase price worth it?
Generally yes for regular use: the gap in consumption per cycle (about 2 kWh less than a classic model) represents an annual saving that, added up over several years, often exceeds the extra purchase cost. The exact calculation depends on how many cycles are actually run per week and the price per kWh, which this calculator lets you estimate directly.
Is air-drying always preferable?
In terms of cost and emissions, yes: air-drying on a rack or line consumes no electricity at all, regardless of the dryer's technology being compared. A dryer nonetheless remains useful for saving time, avoiding weather or drying-space constraints, and for certain fabrics that come out softer after a machine cycle — a practical trade-off to weigh against the cost calculated here.