Calculate your household running cost
The available sources do not establish one universally applicable UK running cost for a heat-pump tumble dryer. Calculate yours from the selected model’s energy use, your electricity tariff and your annual number of drying cycles.[1][2][3][4][5][6] 
Cost per cycle = kWh per cycle × electricity rate
Annual running cost = cost per cycle × annual cycles
Published figures differ because they use different tariffs, appliances, programmes and annual cycle assumptions.[1][2][3][4][5][6] Which? draws on consumer testing, Energy Stats UK reports personal home-energy testing, and Beko provides a manufacturer calculation.[2][4][5] Beko’s underlying calculation dates from November 2022, while an In The Wash article dated 27 August 2026 uses the October 2026 price cap.[5][6]
Collect the inputs
- Electricity rate: use the pence-per-kWh rate from the relevant tariff or bill. If rates vary by time, use the rate applying when the dryer would run.
- Energy per cycle: use the kWh figure for the relevant programme and exact model. Do not substitute a figure from another heat-pump dryer.
- Annual cycles: use a household record where possible. Alternatively, multiply normal weekly use by the number of weeks the dryer is used.
- Purchase prices: record like-for-like prices for the heat-pump dryer and the alternative model.
Do not confuse kWh per cycle with annual energy consumption. An annual figure is useful only if its test-cycle assumptions match the proposed use. The sources do not confirm the programme and cycle assumptions for every appliance.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
| Input | Your figure |
|---|---|
| Electricity rate in p/kWh | _____ |
| Heat-pump energy use in kWh per cycle | _____ |
| Alternative dryer energy use in kWh per cycle | _____ |
| Annual drying cycles | _____ |
| Heat-pump purchase price | _____ |
| Alternative purchase price | _____ |
Calculate cost per load and per year
Multiply the appliance’s kWh per cycle by the tariff in pence per kWh. This gives the cost per cycle in pence. Convert that result to pounds before calculating the annual cost.
| Calculation | Worksheet | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per cycle | _____ kWh × _____ p/kWh | _____ p |
| Annual cycles | _____ weekly loads × _____ weeks used | _____ cycles |
| Annual running cost | _____ cycles × £_____ per cycle | £_____ |
Leave the standing charge out when isolating the additional electricity used by the dryer. Treat the result as an estimate: a stated test-cycle figure may not match every programme, load or household result.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Compare the heat-pump dryer with the alternative
A low running cost becomes a saving only when compared with the dryer that would otherwise be used. Apply the same tariff and annual cycle count to both models.
| Option | Cost per cycle | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Heat-pump dryer | Heat-pump kWh × tariff | Cost per cycle × annual cycles |
| Alternative dryer | Alternative kWh × tariff | Cost per cycle × annual cycles |
Annual electricity saving = alternative annual cost − heat-pump annual cost
Use energy figures based on reasonably comparable programmes and load sizes. Published comparisons do not establish a universal percentage saving across every heat-pump and conventional dryer.[1][3][6] If the alternative dryer’s consumption cannot be verified, mark the comparison as incomplete rather than inserting a generic figure.
Heat-pump dryers collect moisture while reusing warm air instead of continually generating or discarding it, reducing electricity consumption. Their lower operating temperatures generally mean longer cycles.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Calculate the purchase-price payback
Purchase premium = heat-pump price − alternative dryer price
Simple payback in years = purchase premium ÷ annual electricity saving
Use the same price basis for both appliances. Include comparable delivery or installation charges, or record any difference separately.
Compare the payback result with how long the dryer is expected to remain in regular use. If the annual saving is zero or negative, there is no electricity-cost payback. The supplied sources do not provide verified, like-for-like figures for appliance lifespans, repairs, warranties or finance charges.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
| Purchase premium | Annual saving | Payback | Acceptable limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| £_____ | £_____ | Premium ÷ saving | _____ years |
Stress-test the result
- Usage: rerun the calculation with low, expected and high annual cycle counts based on household use.
- Tariff: test only rates shown on a bill, tariff notice or supplier quote. Do not present an unpublished future rate as confirmed.
- Energy use: vary kWh per cycle only where programme data or household measurements support the change. Programme data and measured consumption are more useful than a generic technology claim.[2][4]
- Cycle time: consider whether generally longer heat-pump drying cycles fit the household routine.[1][3][4][6]
Higher use or a wider energy-consumption gap increases the calculated annual saving and shortens simple payback. Lower use has the opposite effect.
Ways to reduce tumble-drying costs
- Avoid a cycle where practical. The saving equals avoided cycles multiplied by the calculated cost per cycle. This depends on having a suitable alternative; the sources do not establish a fixed saving per avoided load.[1][3][4]
- Compare exact models. Calculate the annual difference from each model’s verified kWh-per-cycle figure, the applicable tariff and annual cycles. Do not assume all heat-pump dryers have the same running cost.[2][4]
- Use a lower time-dependent rate where applicable. The potential saving equals the rate difference multiplied by cycle energy use and eligible cycles. Check the tariff’s rates, hours and conditions; the sources do not confirm whether a particular household has access to an off-peak rate.
- Reduce drying frequency. The saving equals the cycles removed multiplied by the personalised cost per cycle. Fewer annual cycles also reduce the annual benefit of paying more for a heat-pump model.[4][6]
The supplied sources do not quantify savings from particular programmes, load sizes, maintenance routines or washing-machine spin speeds.
Decision checklist
- Confirm the exact model, programme, capacity and kWh-per-cycle figure for each dryer.
- Verify the applicable electricity rate and realistic annual cycle count.
- Compare reasonably similar programmes and loads.
- Calculate the annual electricity saving and purchase premium separately.
- Assess a plausible payback range rather than relying on a published average.
- Mark the result as provisional if a tariff, consumption figure or comparison price remains unverified.
References
- Vented vs Condenser vs Heat Pump Tumble Dryers: What are the running costs? – HBH Woolacotts Blog (hbh-woolacotts.co.uk)
- Heat Pump Tumble Dryer Cost: 20–30p Per Load [UK Data] (energy-stats.uk, 2026)
- How much does it cost to run a tumble dryer? | NRLA (nrla.org.uk)
- How much does a tumble dryer cost to run? – Which? (which.co.uk)
- How Much Does a Tumble Dryer Cost to Run? | Beko UK (beko.co.uk)
- Heat Pump vs. Condenser Dryer Running Costs (2026 UK) (inthewash.co.uk)
