ENERGY · RUNNING COSTS

What a tumble dryer costs to run

On the price cap from 1 October to 31 December 2026, a tumble dryer rated 110 kWh per 100 cycles costs 29p a cycle, in Great Britain on average and paying by Direct Debit. Put in your own model and region below.

Your region
Today's cap
Real models

Each time it runs

29p

At 26.32p a kWh: the cap's Great Britain average on Direct Debit, 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026.

A week: 86.9p
A month: £3.77
A year: £45.29

The working

110 kWh per 100 cycles is 1.1 kWh a cycle.
1.1 kWh × 26.32p a kWh (Great Britain average, Direct Debit, VAT included) = 29p each time.
3 times a week is 86.9p; × 52.14 weeks = £45.29 a year, or £3.77 a month.

The standing charge (54.83p a day here) isn't in these figures: you pay it whatever you run. On Economy 7 or another time-of-use tariff, the cost depends on when it runs and your supplier's rates.

Real models

Ratings from each maker's or retailer's page. Great Britain average, Direct Debit.

Model	Rating	Each time
Bosch Series 8 WQB246C9GB 9kg heat pump tumble dryer, class C (new GB label)	95 kWh per 100 cycles	25p
Bosch Series 6 WQG245R2GB 9kg heat pump tumble dryer, class C (new GB label)	110 kWh per 100 cycles	29p
Bosch Series 4 WTN83202GB 8kg condenser tumble dryer, class G (rescaled A to G label)	308 kWh per 100 cycles	81.1p

Where you live

A tumble dryer rated 110 kWh per 100 cycles, on Direct Debit. The Great Britain average is 27.80p a kWh paying on receipt of a bill, and 25.52p on prepayment.

Region	A kWh	Each time	A year
Great Britain average	26.32p	29p	£45.29
Eastern England	26.61p	29.3p	£45.79
East Midlands	25.36p	27.9p	£43.63
London	26.60p	29.3p	£45.76
Merseyside and North Wales	27.86p	30.6p	£47.94
West Midlands	25.60p	28.2p	£44.06
North East England	25.46p	28p	£43.80
North West England	26.49p	29.1p	£45.58
Southern England	26.47p	29.1p	£45.54
South East England	26.88p	29.6p	£46.25
South Wales	26.55p	29.2p	£45.69
South West England	26.58p	29.2p	£45.74
Yorkshire	25.60p	28.2p	£44.06
South Scotland	26.11p	28.7p	£44.92
North Scotland	26.35p	29p	£45.33

A year is 3 cycles a week, from Energy Saving Trust: tumble dryer labels (around 160 cycles a year).

What it uses

On the new A to G label, which suppliers must give from 19 September 2026, the big figure is kWh per 100 drying cycles. Many shops still show the old A+++ to D label, which gives kWh a year on 160 cycles: choose kWh a year for that one.

Does it always use this much? A dryer with a moisture sensor stops when the clothes are dry enough instead of running for a set time, which the Energy Saving Trust says stops you wasting energy by over-drying. The label figure is already weighted across full and half loads.

Spending less

Dry clothes outside on a line in warmer weather, or on racks indoors, instead of using the dryer. Keep the room ventilated so moisture doesn't turn into damp. (Energy Saving Trust: Quick tips to save energy)
Spin at the highest spin speed the washing machine recommends before drying, because squeezing water out mechanically uses far less energy than drying it off. Then choose a dryness level such as cupboard dry rather than a fixed time. (European Commission: Energy-efficient products, tumble dryers)
If you're buying, look for a sensor dryer that knows when the clothes are dry enough. Heat pump dryers are more efficient again. (Energy Saving Trust: Home appliances and energy efficiency ratings)

Questions

How much does a tumble dryer cost to run?

A tumble dryer rated 110 kWh per 100 cycles costs 29p a cycle at the price cap's 26.32p a kWh (Great Britain average, Direct Debit, from 1 October to 31 December 2026). For 3 cycles a week, that's £45.29 a year. The calculator above takes your own model, use, region and how you pay.

Is a heat pump tumble dryer cheaper to run?

Yes, it uses much less electricity. The European Commission says that in 2020 heat pump dryers used 1.0 kWh a cycle, against 2.7 kWh for vented dryers and condenser dryers with a heating element. The UK government puts condenser dryers at an average of 564 kWh a year and heat pump dryers at 225 kWh.

What does the tumble dryer energy label show?

The new GB label, which suppliers must provide from 19 September 2026, rates dryers A to G and shows the kWh used per 100 drying cycles. The older label, which you'll still see on many listings, rates them A+++ to D and shows kWh a year based on 160 drying cycles.

Can I still buy a vented or condenser tumble dryer?

In Great Britain, for now. New GB rules say a dryer's Energy Efficiency Index must be 85 or lower once the transitional period for older-standard models ends on 19 January 2027, and the government said the aim is that only efficient heat pump dryers remain on sale. In Northern Ireland, EU rules have applied since 1 July 2025, and the Energy Saving Trust says shops there can no longer sell new condenser dryers.