Whether it's persistent cold and damp weather or a late-night laundry emergency, you can't always dry your washing effectively the good old-fashioned way.
When it's just too wet, too chilly or too late to hang your clothes on the washing line, you'll need to bite the bullet and use your clothes dryer.
But if you're concerned about the cost to your wallet or the cost to the environment, here's what to expect in terms of running costs, plus expert tips for keeping a lid on your energy bills.
How much does a clothes dryer cost to run?
Clothes dryers can be huge energy guzzlers, so if you're planning to buy one it's vital to crunch the numbers first so you don't get a nasty surprise when your power bill arrives.
There are three types of clothes dryers: vented, condenser and heat pump. Vented is the simplest and most common type of dryer – these models are generally light and have faster drying times. Condenser and heat pump dryers are more complicated machines that work more efficiently and store the water collected from your clothes instead of sending it out as exhaust, although they work differently to one another. (Want to know more? We explain what a heat pump dryer is and what a condenser dryer is)
Here's how they stack up:
| Dryer type | Av. RRP* | Av. 10-yr running costs** | Total cost over 10 yrs*** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vented | $523 | $1930 | $2453 |
| Condenser | $1599 | $1864 | $3463 |
| Heat pump | $2012 | $759 | $2771 |
* Of currently available models we've tested. ** Used once a week, every week. ***RRP plus 10-year running costs.
These numbers are based on one load per week, so obviously your costs will vary depending on whether you use your dryer more or less frequently than this.
Generally, vented dryers are cheap to buy but expensive to run, while heat pump dryers are expensive upfront but cost far less over time.
While we'd normally suggest you buy the most efficient machine possible, that advice isn't always applicable to dryers.
If you only use a dryer for emergencies, there's no point buying an expensive one as you're unlikely to recoup your costs. But if you're a frequent dryer, you'll come out ahead by buying a dryer that's cheap to run.
You can filter by brand, price, running costs and more in our reviews so you can find the best clothes dryer for your needs.
Money-saving tips for using your dryer
Here's our expert advice for getting your laundry dry without getting burnt by huge power bills.
1. Here comes the sun
Clothes dryers use a lot of energy to run, but sunlight and fresh air are free – so make the most of them by hanging your clothes out for a while before moving them to the dryer.
Even if it's raining, can you find a dry spot to pop your laundry on a drying rack?
The more moisture you can extract from your laundry before tumble drying it, the less time you'll need to run your dryer, which is better for the environment and your energy bills.
If you have solar, then you can run your dryer without drawing electricity from the grid – which will obviously save you plenty. If it's sunny but too cold outside for your laundry to dry quickly, run your dryer during the day to capitalise on the sunshine.
Clean your lint filter after every load so your dryer runs at maximum efficiency.
2. Keep it clean
Cleaning the lint filter can be annoying, but it's an important habit to get into.
A blocked lint filter makes it harder for air to circulate through your clothes, making your dryer less efficient and creating a fire hazard.
Try to clean your dryer's filter after every load.
3. Spin out
The more water you can remove from your laundry, the less time it'll need in the dryer.
Choose the highest spin speed available on your washing machine, or if you're shopping for a new washing machine, look for one with a higher spin speed – it'll extract more water so your dryer has less work to do, meaning a shorter drying time and therefore lower energy consumption.
Plus, using your dryer less frequently will extend its life, which will save you money in the long run since you won't need to replace it so quickly.
On the flip side, if you're line-drying consider dialling down the spin speed instead. Line drying is free, so it doesn't matter if it takes a little longer, but higher spin speeds can crush the pile of your towels so they'll feel less soft. Read more about how to keep your towels soft and fluffy.
Vented dryers perform best with a window or door open.
4. Have a good vent
If you have a vented dryer, it's going to blow moist air back into the room, increasing the humidity of the air the dryer is sucking in. This means your dryer will have to work harder to dry your clothes, costing you more.
Open a window in your laundry space whenever you use your dryer, vent the humid air outside or use your home's ducting (if it's available).
If your laundry doesn't have these ventilation options, consider opting for a condenser or heat pump dryer. They do cost more to buy, but they won't leave you with water dripping from the ceiling and down the walls.
5. Choose efficiency
If you can't avoid using your dryer, opt for the most efficient one you can find – look for a high energy efficiency score in our clothes dryer reviews.
Or buy a heat pump dryer. These cost more to buy but are cheaper to run, so they can save you money in the long run. The more you use your dryer, the better an option this becomes.
The type and model of dryer you are using can really make a difference to your energy bill. In our dryer reviews, we measure how much power each dryer uses to dry a load of washing, and the figures range from 0.92 to 3.65kWh – that means that the less efficient machines use well over three times as much power as the most efficient models.
We also calculate the running cost of each appliance over 10 years and the difference ranges from $552 to more than $2100.
We've found that dryer balls don't work, so don't waste your money.
6. Don't fall for it
Don't get sucked into paying for gimmicks. Some people will tell you that adding dryer balls to your dryer will reduce the time and energy required to dry your clothes.
We've tested dryer balls and found they just don't work. Save your money and put your time into smarter ways to use your dryer.
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
