Drying the laundry is hard work during the cold, wet days of winter. 

Not only that, cluttering your home with damp washing isn’t so pleasant. 

A tumble dryer is the perfect solution because it’s quick and easy to use. 

However, this is the time of year when energy costs creep up, so a common question is; how much does a tumble dryer cost to run?

How much does it cost to use a tumble dryer?

The answer depends on several factors, with the main one the cost of electricity. 

This varies greatly depending on your tariff and the overall usage at your address. And, of course, rates can change.

Consequently, any figure is an estimate, but it’s certainly possibly to give you a good indication of how much it costs to run a tumble dryer. 

According to Ofgem, the regulatory body for gas and electricity, the current rate for electricity is 27.35p per kWh. 

At Home Feeling, we supply vented dryers – a reliable machine at an affordable price. 

On average, vented dryers use approximately 5 kWh per load, based on a full load cotton cycle. 

This makes the overall cost of each wash roughly £1.37 (27.35p per kWh x 5). 

Tumble dryer cost per hour

There are still other variables to consider. 

The rates above are based on a cotton cycle – a material that takes longer to dry than others. 

However, a normal load including synthetics needs far less time – roughly 65 minutes in a vented tumble dryer. Heavy-duty items like jeans or hoodies require slightly longer; 75 minutes should do it. 

This means that approximately one hour is sufficient for all your drying needs, with a slightly longer cycle for heavier items from time to time.  

Vented dryers use approximately 2.07 kWh per hour. 

This makes your tumble dryer cost per hour roughly .57p.

How much does it cost to run a tumble dryer?

When considering whether to buy a tumble dryer, it’s good to put it all into perspective and look at the costs over a year. 

Let’s assume you use it twice a week for around one hour each time. 

Weekly cost: £1.14 (.57p x 2 washes)

Monthly cost: £4.45 (£1.14 x 4 weeks)

Yearly cost: £54.72 (4.45 x 12 months)

These are ballpark figures. 

You must also factor in standing charges and all the other electricity costs for your home, and these too will vary over time. 

How to run your tumble dryer cost effectively

Happily, there are a number of ways to keep costs down and help your dryer to run efficiently and cost effectively. 

Don’t overload the drum

Don’t be tempted to stuff in as much washing as possible. 

A large load needs longer to dry. Mind you, a small amount of clothing isn’t ideal either. 

It’s a waste of electricity to run the dryer for a few items. Filling it just over halfway is the best way to help your machine work at an optimum level. 

Use the spin cycle on your washing machine 

Make sure you choose a washing cycle that includes a good spin at the end. This removes some of the sogginess before you put your laundry into the tumble dryer. 

If your dryer has less to do, it cuts down on drying time – and that means it uses less electricity.  

Dry similar fabrics together

A mish-mash of fabrics takes longer to dry, so try to group similar materials together. 

Heavy, damp clothes will always take longer so do these separately from lighter, quick drying items. This is the most efficient way of getting everything done in the best possible time. 

Keep the dryer in a warm room

If your tumble dryer is in a cold room, it’ll have to work harder and use more energy to heat up – a sure way to increase your electricity bill. Your dryer uses far less electricity in a warm environment and gets the job done a lot quicker.  

Use the right heat controls

Heavy items take longer to dry so they’ll need a hotter setting, but this isn’t good for delicate clothes. 

By selecting the correct drying time for each load you’ll get everything done in good time and you’ll save energy and money. 

Our Willow 2.5kg vented tumble dryer has all the heat controls you need to get your washing dry, whatever you put in it. 

Clean the filter and vent after use

Every load leaves fluff in the filter, and in a vented machine it also gets caught in the vent at the back. This restricts airflow and reduces drying ability – chances are your washing will still be damp at the end of the drying cycle. 

Always clean out the fluff after you use the tumble dryer. This keeps everything working efficiently and helps to prevent costly breakdowns. 

Regular maintenance

Waiting until something goes wrong is a false economy. Breakdowns are inconvenient and expensive so avoid the stress by having your dryer serviced regularly. This keeps it working at optimum efficiency and gives you peace of mind. 

Expert advice and friendly customer service from Home Feeling

Our Willow 2.5kg tumble dryer is perfect for students or smaller households. 

This great little dryer is small but mighty with all the features you need to dry your laundry as thoroughly and cost-effectively as possible. 

At Home Feeling we supply affordable, reliable household products, and because we deal directly with the manufacturers, we offer competitive prices year round. 

We also work with the most trustworthy couriers, so delivery is quick and it’s free!

Our experienced customer service team are here to take the stress out of making a new purchase so please don’t hesitate to give us call. 

You’ll find us on 01543 228622 from Monday to Friday or email us on support@homefeeling.uk