Tumble dryers: Energy-saving tumble drying tips Energy-efficient tumble dryers

Cut energy bills with an A-rated dryer

Buy an energy-efficient tumble dryer

Most tumble dryers have a C-class energy rating. But, even so, the energy they use varies by around a third. A washing line is far more kinder to your electricity bill.

If everyone who buys a tumble dryer next year buys the most efficient, rather than the least efficient one, they'd save enough energy to power hundreds of households for a year each time they all dried a full load of cottons. Discover the cheapest and most expensive-to-run tumble dryers - and how much you're paying to power your using our tumble dryer energy cost calculator.

Energy costs – tumble dryers
Appliance	Energy efficiency rating	Cost per year (five washes per week)
Tumble dryer	A	Less than £40.95
	B	£48.32
	C	£54.88
	D	£61.43
	E	£67.97
	F	£74.53
	G	More than £75.35

Are there any energy-saving dryers on the market?

White Knight introduced the first A-rated dryer to the UK in 2003 with its CL 487, now called the 84AW. AEG-Electrolux followed in autumn 2005 with the T59800 and John Lewis in 2006 with the JLTDC01.

See our tumble dryer reviews for the latest Which? Best Buys.

Thrifty tumble drying tips

• Choose a more efficient tumble dryer Our tumble dryer energy costs calculator reveals the cheapest and most expensive-to-run models.
• Fully fill Try to fit the maximum load in your tumble dryer every time.
• Use a high spin speed on your washing machine This will get your washing as dry as possible before using your tumble dryer.
• Clean the lint filter every time you use the machine A blocked filter prevents the hot air from circulating freely, so clothes take longer to dry.
• Position your dryer in a well-ventilated room This will stop the tumble dryer from overheating.
• Sensor models Dry clothes for ironing together with other clothes. Start the load with an iron-dry setting, remove the clothes for ironing, and then put the rest on a cupboard-dry program.
• Minimise use Make the most of good weather by drying your clothes outside, and leaving the tumble dryer switched off.