What your result means
The result shows variable electricity cost per load and for the usage pattern entered. It excludes purchase price, maintenance and any change in cycle energy caused by load size or programme choice.
Per-load estimate
How much does a clothes dryer cost to run in NZ?
New Zealand Energy Rating Labels and measured kWh per load are more useful than a simple wattage calculation. Enter energy per cycle and weekly loads to estimate the yearly total.
Change every default to reflect your appliance.
Estimated cost by load and year
$185.64
per yearEnergy / year
546 kWh
Per year
$185.64
546 kWh
Per week
$3.57
10.5 kWh
Per load
$1.19
3.5 kWh
Per day
$0.51
1.5 kWh
Per month
$15.47
45.5 kWh
Cycle comparison
At 34.0c/kWh, each vented dryer load is about $1.19. The biggest variable is energy used per cycle, not just the dryer name.
Estimate only: Electricity results estimate variable energy cost from the wattage, use and per-kWh rate entered. They exclude fixed daily charges and can differ from a measured bill because appliance demand and tariffs vary.
How the calculation works
Energy per cycle in kWh is multiplied by your electricity price to find cost per load. Weekly energy and cost are multiplied by 52 for the annual estimate.
Example calculation
A dryer using 3.5 kWh per load costs about $1.19 per load at 34 cents per kWh. Three similar loads each week would use about 546 kWh over 52 weeks.
Choose better inputs
Vented and condenser dryers often use more energy per load than heat-pump dryers. Replace the example electricity rate and usage with figures from your appliance and current plan.
Calculate this appliance running cost in New Zealand
The result shows variable electricity cost per load and for the usage pattern entered. It excludes purchase price, maintenance and any change in cycle energy caused by load size or programme choice.
Calculation formula and worked example
Calculation method
Energy per cycle in kWh is multiplied by your electricity price to find cost per load. Weekly energy and cost are multiplied by 52 for the annual estimate.
Worked example
A dryer using 3.5 kWh per load costs about $1.19 per load at 34 cents per kWh. Three similar loads each week would use about 546 kWh over 52 weeks.
Important checks before using the estimate
- Vented and condenser dryers often use more energy per load than heat-pump dryers.
- Load size, fabric type and dryness setting change the result.
- Energy-label or measured kWh per cycle is more useful than maximum wattage.
- The annual figure assumes the same number of loads each week.
- Spin clothes thoroughly before drying.
- Avoid over-drying and use an appropriate load size.
- Clean lint filters and condenser surfaces as directed.
New Zealand electricity sources
The default rate is a starting point only. Check a current bill from your retailer—such as Contact, Meridian or Genesis—for the cents-per-kWh rate that applies to your plan. Tariffs, lines charges and heating needs can differ between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Otago and provincial networks, so your own bill is a better input than a national example. Fixed daily charges and other appliances remain separate from this estimate.
Typical values and guidance are informed by EECA and MBIE electricity prices.
For a better input, see how to choose an NZ electricity rate and read an appliance energy label.
Choosing a dryer type? Read the heat-pump vs condenser dryer cost NZ guide.
Frequently asked questions
Heat-pump dryer vs condenser dryer NZ: which is cheaper to run?
A heat-pump dryer generally uses less electricity per comparable load than a conventional condenser dryer, but exact model energy-label data, cycle use and your electricity rate determine the saving. Purchase price and cycle duration should be compared separately.
Should I use watts or kWh per load?
For a dryer, measured or labelled kWh per cycle is usually more useful because heating and motor power change throughout a programme.
Does the annual estimate include every household load?
It includes only the weekly loads entered and assumes that pattern continues for 52 weeks.
Why can two loads cost different amounts?
Load size, fabric, spin speed, dryness target and programme length can change the energy consumed by each cycle.
Does a higher star rating guarantee my cost?
No. Energy labels support like-for-like comparisons under test conditions. Your usage and electricity rate determine the household estimate.