Clothes Line vs Tumble Dryer Savings Calculator
Instantly estimate your weekly, monthly, and yearly savings by air-drying your laundry instead of using an electric tumble dryer.
Calculate Your Laundry Savings
Enter your typical laundry habits and dryer specifications below to see exactly how much money you could save by switching to a clothes line or drying rack.
Savings Estimator
Fill in your laundry details to see your estimated cost breakdown
Average number of dryer loads per week
Check your appliance label (avg: 2.0 – 3.0 kW)
Typical cycle duration
UK average is currently ~24p – 28p
Estimated Annual Savings
Money saved by air-drying instead of tumble drying
Average Tumble Dryer Running Costs
Estimated average cost per load for different types of tumble dryers, based on a 1.5-hour cycle and 24p/kWh electricity rate.
| Dryer Type | Avg. Wattage | Cost per Load | Estimated Yearly Cost (4 loads/wk) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vented Dryer | 2.5 – 3.0 kW | 90p – £1.08 | £187 – £224 |
| Condenser Dryer | 2.0 – 2.5 kW | 72p – 90p | £150 – £187 |
| Heat Pump Dryer | 0.8 – 1.2 kW | 29p – 43p | £60 – £90 |
| Clothes Line / Rack | 0 kW | £0.00 | £0.00 |
Laundry Savings FAQ
Everything you need to know about reducing your laundry energy costs and extending the life of your clothes.
On average, running a standard 2.5kW condenser or vented tumble dryer for 1.5 hours costs around 90p to £1.00 per load, based on an electricity rate of 24p to 28p per kWh. Modern heat pump dryers are much more efficient, typically costing around 40p to 50p per load.
Yes, significantly. Air-drying your clothes on a line or indoor rack costs virtually nothing in terms of electricity. Over a year, switching from 4 tumble dryer loads a week to air-drying can save you between £150 and £200, depending on your dryer’s efficiency.
Yes. The high heat and tumbling action of a dryer break down fabric fibres over time, causing clothes to shrink, fade, or wear out faster. Air-drying is much gentler, extending the lifespan of your garments and keeping colours vibrant for longer.
A standard tumble dryer produces approximately 1.5 to 2 kg of CO2 per load, depending on the energy source of your electricity grid. Switching to a clothes line for just half of your laundry can save over 100 kg of CO2 emissions annually, making it a simple, impactful eco-friendly choice.