Is an Efficient Clothes Dryer Worth It in France? (2026)
With electricity at €0.200 per kWh in France, replacing a working clothes dryer takes 10.0 years to pay back, which is slow. When yours needs replacing anyway, the extra cost of the efficient model comes back in 3.9 years.
An efficient clothes dryer cuts electricity by 67%: about 450 kWh, worth €90.05 a year in France. Worth it when replacing
- From
- Vented or condenser dryer, class C, about 4.5 kWh per load, about 675 kWh a year
- To
- Heat pump dryer, class A+++, about 1.5 kWh per load, about 225 kWh a year
- Usage
- 150 loads a year
| Scenario | You pay | Payback | Net over its life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replace a working clothes dryer now | €900.00 | 10.0 years | €270.59 |
| Replacing anyway: choose the efficient one | €350.00 | 3.9 years | €820.59 |
Prices are typical figures; type your own quotes above. Net over its life is the total saving over the years it lasts minus what you pay. It ignores inflation, interest and changes in electricity prices, which is conservative while prices are rising.
Our take
One of the best choices to make when a dryer needs replacing: for a household that dries several loads a week, the heat pump model's extra cost comes back in a few years, and faster where electricity is expensive. Replacing a working dryer early pays only at high electricity prices.
How the two models compare
| Inefficient | Efficient | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Vented or condenser dryer, class C, about 4.5 kWh per load | Heat pump dryer, class A+++, about 1.5 kWh per load |
| Electricity per year | 675 kWh | 225 kWh |
| Cost per year here | €135.07 | €45.02 |
| Over 13 years | €1,756 | €585.29 |
Usage behind these figures: 150 loads a year. Basis: ENERGY STAR: heat pump dryers use about 70% less energy; EU label per-cycle figures; Which? running cost tests. At 150 loads a year. The Clothes Dryer page prices the appliance at its own typical hours, which you can change there.
The same upgrade in other countries
| Country | Saving per year | Payback, replacing now | Payback, replacing anyway | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (average) | $82.53 | 10.9 years | 4.2 years | Worth it when replacing |
| United Kingdom | £118.44 | 7.6 years | 3.0 years | Worth it when replacing |
| Germany | €166.50 | 5.4 years | 2.1 years | Worth it when replacing |
| France | €90.05 | 10.0 years | 3.9 years | Worth it when replacing |
| Australia | A$157.50 | 5.7 years | 2.2 years | Worth it when replacing |
| Canada (average) | C$63.00 | 14.3 years | 5.6 years | Worth it when replacing |
Local electricity prices, with the same purchase price read in local currency, which is a simplification. The saving column is what matters: the higher the price of electricity, the faster any upgrade pays back.
Other upgrades in France, fastest payback first
- LED Light Bulbsaves €18.81 a year · worth it now
- Dehumidifiersaves €108.05 a year · worth it now
- Electric Water Heatersaves €613.51 a year · worth it when replacing
- Pool Pumpsaves €280.94 a year · worth it when replacing
- Wi-Fi Routersaves €21.01 a year · worth it when replacing
- Electric Sauna Heatersaves €339.57 a year · not for the electricity
- Chest Freezersaves €62.03 a year · worth it when replacing
- Hot Tubsaves €511.26 a year · not for the electricity
- Air Conditionersaves €50.02 a year · worth it when replacing
- Refrigeratorsaves €86.04 a year · worth it when replacing
- Desktop Computersaves €61.43 a year · not for the electricity
- Space Heatersaves €180.09 a year · not for the electricity
- Electric Stovesaves €29.21 a year · not for the electricity
- Dishwashersaves €28.01 a year · not for the electricity
- Washing Machinesaves €19.01 a year · not for the electricity
- Televisionsaves €14.61 a year · not for the electricity