Tumble-dryer cost calculator
Estimate tumble-dryer running cost from the energy-label kWh per cycle, or use average power and cycle time if that figure is unavailable.
Result
Cost per year
Cost per cycle
How to use this tool
- Enter the programme's kWh per cycle from your label/manual if available. Otherwise leave it at 0 and enter average watts and cycle duration.
- Enter how many cycles you run per week.
- Enter your electricity price per kWh.
- Read the cost per cycle and per year.
Assumptions
- The prefilled values are illustrative. Your entered electricity price is used as a GBP (£/kWh) rate; no live tariff lookup or currency conversion is applied. When no label kWh/cycle is entered, the estimate assumes the entered average power is drawn throughout the full cycle; actual power can vary by programme, load and appliance.
Technical details: what the fields mean
- Energy per cycle from label (0 = estimate below)
energyPerCycleKwh - The programme's rated energy per cycle when your appliance label/manual provides it; this direct value is preferred to a watts-times-hours estimate.
- Average power during cycle
powerWatts - Average power across the cycle, used only when energy-per-cycle is left at 0; do not substitute a peak/rated wattage if average draw is known.
- Hours per cycle
hoursPerUse - Cycle duration, used with average power only when no direct kWh-per-cycle figure is entered.
- Cycles per week
usesPerWeek - How many drying cycles you run per week.
- Electricity price
pricePerKwh - Your electricity price per kWh.
Methodology
Energy per cycle = the entered label value when greater than 0; otherwise it is average power (kW) × cycle duration. Cost per cycle = energy × price per kWh. Annual cost = cycle cost × cycles per week × 52.
Worked example
Illustrative estimate: 2500W average for a 1.5-hour cycle, 4 cycles/week at an entered 27p/kWh
Inputs: Energy per cycle from label (0 = estimate below): 0 kWh, Average power during cycle: 2500 W, Hours per cycle: 1.5 hours, Cycles per week: 4, Electricity price: £0.27/kWh
Result: 2.5 kW × 1.5 h = 3.75 kWh/cycle; × £0.27 = £1.01/cycle; about £210.08/year. A direct label value may differ.
Practical guidance
- Compare the same programme, load and number of cycles when evaluating two appliances; use each model's label kWh/cycle where available.
- A higher spin speed can remove more water before drying, but follow the fabric-care instructions for the load.
Common mistakes
- Using the maximum power rating as average cycle power; prefer the programme's kWh-per-cycle label when available.
FAQs
How much does a tumble-dryer load cost?
Multiply the selected programme's kWh-per-cycle label value by your electricity price per kWh. If you do not have a label value, the calculator estimates cycle energy from average power and duration. The displayed cost is in GBP (£); programme and load affect actual use, and the yearly result also depends on cycles per week.
What should I enter if my label lists kWh per cycle?
Enter that value directly in the energy-per-cycle field; leave it above 0 and the calculator will use it instead of average watts × hours.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-11
No live tariff or programme lookup is performed. Use the label value for the specific cycle and your own electricity unit price; purchase, maintenance and non-electric costs are excluded.
This tool provides an indicative estimate, based on the assumptions stated above.
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