What makes a tumble dryer energy-efficient?
There are several specifications of a tumble dryer that you should look at to determine whether or not it is energy-efficient. The type of dryer plays a big role, but so do its energy label and annual energy consumption. On this page, we explain everything you need to know about energy-efficient dryers.
Best energy efficient dryers of 2024
Buy a fuel-efficient dryer? You’ve come to the right place! In the list below, you’ll find the best, most energy-efficient clothes dryers of 2024. In making this list, we’ve obviously looked at the energy consumption of a range of new dryers, but we’ve also looked at their fill weight, noise level, condensation drainage (via a water outlet or tank) and different drying programmes. Which of these energy-efficient heat pump dryers will you be using to dry your laundry? This means that the energy costs of a cheap dryer are so high that you will be better off buying a more expensive, energy-efficient one. A heat pump dryer with energy label A++ or higher is indeed expensive to buy, but think of it as an investment. If you buy a cheaper dryer with a lesser label, you’ll end up paying more over time because your energy costs will go up.
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The types of tumble dryer
There are three types of tumble dryer: the vent dryer, the condenser dryer and the heat pump dryer. The energy consumption of the vent dryer is the highest, followed by that of the condenser dryer. Heat pump dryers use the least energy per cycle and keep your energy costs down. Heat pump dryers are also the most expensive of the three, but because they are so energy-efficient, they are often still the cheapest choice.
Energy label
The energy label of a clothes dryer indicates how efficiently it dries your laundry. A tumble dryer is regarded as energy-efficient if it has energy label A++. The most energy-efficient dryer is a heat pump dryer with energy class A+++, which is the best for the environment and your wallet! The same applies to energy labels: the better, the more expensive. But keep in mind that an energy-efficient dryer will keep your energy costs down to such an extent that it will ultimately save you money.
Energy consumption per year
Most manufacturers and suppliers of tumble dryers also quote the annual energy consumption of each tumble dryer. Most heat pump dryers have energy class A+++, but that doesn’t mean they all use exactly the same amount of energy. By looking at the energy consumption per year, you can better compare different heat pump dryers.
Energy consumption of tumble dryers: about the label
The energy rating of dryers ranges from energy class D to energy class A+++. The most energy efficient dryer has energy class A+++. Dryers with energy class C or lower may no longer be sold in the Netherlands, therefore the least efficient dryer has label B.
In the picture you see an example of an energy label of a dryer. We will explain what each part means.
- On the blue line you will first see the brand (in this case the AEG brand) and the name of the model.
- Below that you will see the different energy classes and, highlighted, which energy label this particular washer dryer has.
- In the square box halfway down the label, you can read what the energy consumption is per year in kWh.
- The dryer and cord frame shows the type of dryer (gas/electric, return air/condensate)
- The clock frame shows the average cotton drying time in minutes.
- The t-shirt frame indicates how many pounds of laundry will fit in the drum at one time (also called the fill weight).
- The speaker frame indicates in decibels (dB) how loud the dryer is.
- The last frame with the condensate pan only applies to condensate dryers; it indicates the condensation efficiency class.