How much does it cost to run a dryer per load? Most standard dryers cost somewhere between 50 cents and $1.20 per load in Perth, depending on the type of dryer you own and how long you run it. Heat pump dryers sit at the cheap end of that range, while old vented dryers sit at the expensive end.
If you have ever pulled a load of washing out of the dryer and wondered why your power bill jumped, you are not alone. Dryers are one of the biggest energy users in an Aussie home, right up there with air conditioning and hot water systems. The good news is that once you understand how the numbers work, cutting your drying costs is pretty simple.
This guide breaks down exactly how much power a dryer uses, what that means in dollars per load and per year, and how the three main dryer types compare. We will also cover a few easy habits that shave real money off your electricity bill.
How much power a dryer uses
Every dryer has a power rating, measured in watts, which tells you how much energy it pulls while it is running. Most dryers sold in Australia fall into these rough ranges:
- Vented dryers: 2,000 to 3,000 watts
- Condenser dryers: 2,000 to 2,800 watts
- Heat pump dryers: 700 to 1,100 watts
That watt figure gets converted into kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is the unit your electricity retailer actually charges you for. A dryer using 2,000 watts for one hour uses 2 kWh of electricity.
Dryers also have an energy star rating, shown on a yellow sticker on the appliance. More stars mean the dryer uses less energy to dry the same amount of washing. It is worth checking this rating before you buy, since two dryers that look almost identical can have very different running costs once you factor in the star rating and the drying technology inside.
As of July 2026, Synergy’s standard residential rate (Home Plan A1) in Perth sits at around 33.26 cents per kWh, plus a daily supply charge. We will use that rate for the cost examples below, but keep in mind your own rate might be slightly different depending on your plan and any solar setup you have.
Cost per load
A typical drying cycle runs for 45 minutes to an hour. Here is roughly what that costs at Perth power prices:
| Dryer Type | Power Draw | Cost per Load |
| Vented dryer | ~2.5 kWh | ~83 cents |
| Condenser dryer | ~2.2 kWh | ~73 cents |
| Heat pump dryer | ~0.9 kWh | ~30 cents |
These are estimates, since real usage depends on load size, moisture level, and the cycle you choose. But the pattern is consistent everywhere: heat pump dryers use less than half the energy of a vented model for the same load.
Cost per year
Most Aussie households run the dryer four to five times a week, especially over the cooler months when the washing line is not an option. At five loads a week, here is what that looks like annually:
- Vented dryer: around $215 a year
- Condenser dryer: around $190 a year
- Heat pump dryer: around $78 a year
That is a gap of well over $130 a year between a vented dryer and a heat pump dryer, just from running costs. Over the 10 to 12 year lifespan of a dryer, that adds up to well over $1,000 in electricity alone.
Big families, or households that dry laundry daily, will sit above these numbers. Smaller households, or ones with solar panels covering daytime drying, will sit below them. If you have solar and can time your drying for the middle of the day, your real cost could be close to zero, since you would be using power you have already generated rather than buying it from the grid.
Vented vs condenser vs heat pump running cost
Each dryer type works differently, and that difference is exactly why the running costs vary so much.
Vented dryers heat air, push it through the clothes, and vent the hot, moist air straight outside through a hose or duct. They dry fast, but they are the least efficient because they are constantly heating fresh air from scratch.
Condenser dryers also heat air and pass it through your clothes, but instead of venting the moisture outside, they cool and condense it into a water tank. No external venting needed, which is handy for apartments, but the energy use is still fairly high because they still rely on a heating element.
Heat pump dryers use a totally different method. Instead of generating heat with an element, they use a refrigerant cycle to move heat around and recycle it. This means they use way less electricity to do the same job. The trade off is a longer cycle time, usually 20 to 40 minutes longer than a vented dryer, and a higher upfront price.
For most Perth households, that longer cycle is not a big deal. You are not standing over the dryer waiting for it anyway, and the electricity you save more than makes up for the extra wait. The main thing to check is that a heat pump dryer suits your laundry space, since some models need a bit of airflow around them to run efficiently.
How to cut your drying costs
You do not need to buy a new dryer to start saving. Here are some quick wins:
- Only run full loads. A half empty dryer still uses close to full power.
- Use the moisture sensor setting instead of a fixed timer, so the dryer stops as soon as clothes are dry.
- Clean the lint filter before every load. A clogged filter forces the dryer to work harder and use more energy.
- Spin clothes on a high speed wash cycle first, so less moisture needs to be removed by the dryer.
- Dry similar fabrics together, since mixed loads (light and heavy items) dry unevenly and waste time.
- Where possible, line dry on warm days and save the dryer for wet weather.
If you are shopping for a new dryer and energy bills are a big factor, a heat pump model is genuinely worth the extra upfront cost for most households. The running cost savings usually pay back the price difference within a few years, especially if you dry laundry often.
FAQ
How much does it cost to run a dryer per load?
On Perth electricity rates, a typical load costs between 30 cents and 85 cents, depending on whether you have a heat pump, condenser, or vented dryer.
Are dryers expensive to run?
Compared to most other appliances in the home, yes, dryers use a lot of power, but heat pump models bring that cost down significantly and are far cheaper to run than older vented dryers.
Which dryer type is cheapest to run?
Heat pump dryers are the cheapest to run, using roughly a third of the electricity of a vented dryer for the same size load.
Running costs are only part of the picture when choosing a dryer. Capacity, cycle time, and how much space you have all matter too. If you want to compare your options in person, head into the dryers range at WA White Goods, where our team can walk you through vented, condenser, and heat pump models and help you find one that suits your laundry habits and your power bill.
Browse our full range of dryers, including energy efficient heat pump dryers, in store or online, and get honest advice from a Perth team that services what it sells.
