Everyday Money
Cost Per Dryer Cycle Calculator
Combine dryer power, cycle length and your electricity rate into a per-cycle cost.
What does a dryer cycle cost?
Tumble dryers are among the greediest home appliances on a unit-rate bill. Cost per cycle turns kWh per cycle (from the handbook or an energy monitor) and your electricity price into a clear pounds-and-pence figure — then weekly and annual totals from how often you dry. Heat-pump dryers use fewer kWh than older vented or condenser models; the purchase premium may still win on running cost. Line-drying some loads changes the annual figure more than obsessing over a 0.1 kWh difference. Pair with appliance running cost for wattage-based estimates and cost per use when comparing buy-versus-run trade-offs. Water for condenser emptying is trivial cash; filter cleaning is free and keeps efficiency honest. Illustrative only — not an energy-supplier quote. Off-peak tariffs help only if you actually run the machine in the cheap window.
Worked example
A cycle using 2.5 kWh at 28p/kWh costs 2.5 × 0.28 = £0.70. Five cycles a week ≈ £3.50/week and about £182/year. A heat-pump model at 1.2 kWh on the same tariff is £0.34/cycle and roughly £88/year — the gap funds a chunk of the machine over its life.
Limits and assumptions
Uses the kWh you enter; real loads vary with dryness setting, spin speed and room temperature. Ignores standby and filter neglect. Not a product test lab result.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find kWh per cycle?
Check the appliance label, handbook, or measure a few runs with a plug-in energy monitor.
Should I use my bill’s unit rate?
Yes — use the rate you actually pay, including any average if you are on a tracker.
Does spin speed change dryer cost?
Higher spin leaves less water, so dryer kWh usually falls. Count laundry as a system.
Are heat-pump dryers always cheaper to run?
Typically fewer kWh per cycle, but confirm with handbook figures and your tariff.
How do I include fabric softener or sheets?
Add consumables separately if you care; electricity usually dominates.