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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Heat Pump Dryer in the UK? (2026)
A heat pump dryer recycles hot air instead of venting it, so it draws about a third of the power of a conventional dryer. Cycles take longer, but total energy per load is about half.
A typical heat pump dryer (900 W) costs £0.23 per hour, or about £14.04 per month at 2 hours a day in United Kingdom. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (600 W) | £0.16 | £0.31 | £9.36 | £113.88 |
| Typical (900 W) | £0.23 | £0.47 | £14.04 | £170.82 |
| High (1,200 W) | £0.31 | £0.62 | £18.72 | £227.76 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 2 h/day ≈ 657 kWh per year.
In the UK, with electricity at £0.26 per kWh (source: Ofgem price cap 1 Jul–30 Sep 2026, 2026-07), a typical heat pump dryer costs £0.23 per hour and about £170.82 per year at 2 hours a day. Each £1.00 of electricity buys roughly 4.3 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a heat pump dryer
- Clean both the lint filter and the heat exchanger filter regularly.
- Do not overload. Heat pump dryers are sensitive to airflow.
- Use the auto-dry sensor rather than timed programs.
In standby it draws about 1 W, which adds roughly 9 kWh (£2.28) per year if it is never unplugged.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heat pump dryer cost per load?
About 1.5 kWh, versus 3 kWh or more for a vented dryer.
Why does a heat pump dryer take longer?
It dries at a lower temperature. The energy saving comes from reusing the heat.
Is a heat pump dryer worth the higher price?
For households drying several loads a week, the savings typically repay the difference within a few years.
Compare with
Cost by region
- United States (average)
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