Clothes Dryer vs Heat Pump Dryer: Which Costs More to Run? (2026)
A heat pump dryer uses about half the electricity per load of a conventional vented or condenser dryer, because it recycles hot air instead of exhausting it. Cycles take longer and the machine costs more upfront. For a household drying four or more loads a week, the savings usually repay the difference within three to five years.
At the hours shown, Clothes Dryer costs about $197.10 per year and Heat Pump Dryer about $118.26 in United States (average).
| Appliance | Typical watts | Hours / day | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clothes Dryer | 3,000 W | $0.54 | $16.20 | $197.10 | |
| Heat Pump Dryer | 900 W | $0.16 | $9.72 | $118.26 |
Edit the hours to match your own use. Costs use the typical wattage of each appliance.
When the clothes dryer makes sense
- You dry one or two loads a week
- You need fast cycles
- Upfront price matters more than the running cost
When the heat pump dryer makes sense
- You dry several loads a week
- Electricity is expensive where you live
- You have no vent to the outside
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