Tumble dryers are costing UK households up to £187 a year as families struggle with rising energy bills. The appliances consume around £1 per load when used twice weekly, making them one of the worst culprits for eye-watering electricity costs.
The Ofgem price cap has increased to £1,755 annually for the average household with gas and electricity. This rise comes just as families head into winter months with higher energy usage, putting additional pressure on household budgets.
A typical tumble dryer cycle costs between 50p and £1.80, averaging around £1 per load depending on the appliance's efficiency rating. Based on twice-weekly usage, this translates to £3.60 weekly or £187 annually at the highest estimate.
Major energy bill contributors
According to the Energy Saving Trust, washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14 per cent of typical household energy bills. Fridges and freezers follow closely at 13 per cent, while TVs and gaming consoles represent six per cent of energy usage.
Electrical specialists identify combined washer-dryers as the most energy-consuming appliances because they heat large volumes of water for washing then provide additional heat for drying. Standard tumble dryers rank as the second-worst offenders.
Heat pump alternative offers major savings
Heat pump dryers offer significant cost reductions, charging only 50p to 65p per full load cycle compared to standard tumble dryers. An A-rated heat pump model can deliver substantial annual savings for households willing to upgrade their appliances.
Appliance expert Paul Hanley recommends using the washing machine's spin cycle to remove excess water before tumble drying. This reduces the dryer's workload and energy consumption, as sopping wet clothes require the machine to work longer and harder.
Efficiency tips cut running costs
Cleaning filters after each load and avoiding overloading the drum can improve efficiency by up to 25 per cent. Hanley suggests filling the drum just over halfway for optimum performance, while sensor drying functions prevent unnecessary energy waste compared to timed programmes.
Using dryer balls can reduce drying time by around 25 per cent by lifting and separating garments for better hot air circulation. Running consecutive loads takes advantage of residual heat from previous cycles, shaving minutes off drying time.
Sources used: "Birmingham Live", "Energy Saving Trust" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.