What a tumble drying costs per load

Short answer: A full tumble dry uses two to four kilowatt hours depending on the machine and programme. At a normal electricity price that adds up to a noticeable sum per load, and it grows quickly over a year.

The sum is simple

Multiply the machine's use in kilowatt hours by your price per kilowatt hour, and you have the cost of one load. If you run it three times a week for a men's bamboo sweatshirt and the rest of the laundry, it becomes a clear yearly amount. The figure shows how much small changes in habit matter.

Find your own usage

The usage is on the energy label, and many newer machines also show it on the display after each programme. Note the number a few times across different programmes to see the difference. A short, low heat programme usually uses less than a long cupboard dry programme, and the long ones are what push the bill up.

Heat pump dryers use less

A heat pump model uses roughly half of a standard condenser dryer. Over a full year the difference is clear, also for bestsellers from Copenhagen Bamboo and other clothes that are washed often. The heat pump works at a lower temperature and takes a little longer, but the saved power shows on the bill.

Load the drum properly

A half empty dryer uses almost as much power as a full one, so the cost per item rises sharply. Collect clothes for full loads, but do not overfill the drum, or the air cannot circulate and drying takes longer. The clothes should tumble freely, otherwise they also come out more creased.

Spin before you dry

The less water in the clothes, the shorter the dryer has to run. An extra spin in the washing machine uses far less power than the minutes it saves in the dryer. This matters most for thick pieces like sweatshirts and trousers, which hold a lot of water. Check the care label first, as not everything suits high speeds.

Clean the filter every time

A full lint filter makes it harder for air to pass, and the machine has to work longer for the same result. Clean the filter after every load, and check the condenser filter now and then if your machine has one. It takes half a minute and keeps both usage and drying time down.

Air drying costs nothing

A line or a rack uses no power, only time and space. That goes for everything in the men's range, and soft clothes generally do well drying slowly. Hang pieces with space around them, shake them out first and straighten the seams so they keep their shape. In summer, clothes dry quickly outdoors.

Combine the two methods

Many people get the best result by using the dryer briefly and letting the rest dry in the air. Ten to fifteen minutes softens the fabric and removes some moisture, and then you hang the clothes up. You get a soft feel, lower usage and less shrinkage than with a full dry.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an old dryer use

Three to four kilowatt hours per full load. Older condenser dryers usually sit at the high end, especially on long programmes with a lot of heat.

Can you see the usage

Yes, it is on the energy label and often on the machine's display. Note the number a few times to get a good picture of your own usage.

Are half empty loads more expensive per item

Yes, considerably. Always fill the dryer, but without overfilling it, so the air can still move freely between the clothes.