Vented, per load£1.41
Condenser, per load£1.37
Heat pump, per load57p
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Live Direct Debit rates for UK average since 1 October 2026. Full 9 kg loads.
Cost per load and per year
| Type | Energy per full 9 kg load | Per load | Per year (2 loads a week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vented | about 5.3 kWh | £1.41 | £146 |
| Condenser | about 5.2 kWh | £1.37 | £142 |
| Heat pump | about 2.2 kWh | 57p | £59.13 |
A heat pump dryer uses less than half the electricity of a vented or condenser model, saving roughly £84.86 a year at two loads a week. They cost more to buy and take longer to dry, but the savings add up.
Ways to cut tumble dryer costs
- Use your washing machine's fastest spin first, so there's less water to dry.
- Use sensor or "iron dry" settings so the dryer stops when clothes are ready.
- Clean the lint filter after every load.
- Run full loads. A half load still uses a large share of the energy.
- Dry outside or on an airer when you can.
A dehumidifier can also dry clothes indoors. See how it compares.
Sources: Marks Electrical, Ofgem price cap via Uswitch, Octopus Energy tariff data.