Households with tumble dryers could be spending more than £125 a year on them via their energy bill when the cost under the current price cap is projected over a year, according to Utilita’s Power Price List.
The tool, provided by the electricity and gas supplier, allows users to select from a variety of household appliances and devices, offering an estimated cost per use under the current Ofgem price cap standard variable tariff.
How the data is calculated
Explaining how the data behind the calculations is gathered, Utilita says its “expert analysts collate data from sellers and manufacturers websites as well as from our customers research and surveys.”
“They also use values produced via the energy price cap. We use this data and update the Power Price List so it’s easy to understand.”
If you’ve got the space for a tumble dryer, they can be a godsend, making doing laundry a lot quicker and removing the need for a clothes airer. But as with various other appliances, the costs can rack up over time.
Cost per use and annual estimate
According to the tool, a tumble dryer costs roughly £0.48 per use under the current price cap. Under Utilita’s calculation for typical use over the course of a year, it comes to an estimated £125.20.
However, actual usage will depend on how much you use it, and will vary between different models.
Additionally, while the Utilita estimates give you an illustrative sense of the costs the cap represents when projected over a longer period, the maximum limit on unit rates and standard charges is reviewed by the regulator every three months and doesn’t remain in place for a full year.
Environmental impact and broader tool
Utilita’s tool also allows you to see what the estimated environmental impact of individual appliances is over time.
The company said: “Utilita has updated its Power Price List – the UK’s only live database that translates Ofgem’s price cap into the real‑world cost of powering everyday household electrical items.
“The update reflects Ofgem’s latest direct debit price cap, effective from July 1.
“The Power Price List breaks down the cost of running more than 100 common appliances and activities, from heating and cooking to laundry, lighting, entertainment and more.”
“The less energy we use, the better it is for the planet,” it adds. “That’s why the Power Price List also shows how the usage of common electrical items compares to the miles driven by a car – households may be shocked!”
In the case of a tumble dryer, Utilita says it amounts to 1.89 miles driven per use and 491.32 miles driven per year.
