Ways to work out cost per tumble-dry?

mimbellina

I've become aware that DH and I are using our tumble dryer more than we ought to! So I'm thinking if I can work out the rough cost per average tumble dry, I can put it into the demotivator thingy on here, and hopefully make us see the error of our ways!

Thing is, I have no idea how on earth to work out the cost!

Does anyone have any bright ideas to get me started, please?

alanobrien

The drier has an energy rating in Watts or more likely KW
i.e. If it says 2kw (on the rating plate) then it will use 2kw of energy per hour. Check what 1KW costs you from your energy supplier then multiply it by 2 to get the cost per hour of running the drier.....easy really.

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moonrakerz

alanobrien wrote: »

The drier has an energy rating in Watts or more likely KW
i.e. If it says 2kw (on the rating plate) then it will use 2kw of energy per hour. Check what 1KW costs you from your energy supplier then multiply it by 2 to get the cost per hour of running the drier.....easy really.

.

Except that there is a thermostat which switches the heating element on and off - so it won't use 2kW/hr.

andrew-b

You could get a plug-in energy monitors.

Maplin have one on sale at moment for £14.99 until 02/10/2007 (save £12)

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=38343

Andy

mimbellina

andrew-b, that's just the sort of gadget that appeals to me! However, our washer/dryer is hardwired in, so it wouldn't work for us, sadly. Thanks everyone else for responses so far.

I suppose I could go and have a look at the electricity meter before and after a cycle - bit inexact, but I guess it'll give me some idea at least.

Shambler

mimbellina wrote: »

I suppose I could go and have a look at the electricity meter before and after a cycle - bit inexact, but I guess it'll give me some idea at least.

I agree that would be the best/easiest and cheapest way, turn off any other major appliance and work out the unit cost...it will probably be a huge shock :rotfl:

alanobrien

moonrakerz wrote: »

Except that there is a thermostat which switches the heating element on and off - so it won't use 2kW/hr.

i was referring to the motor but of course this is also true. more tricky then but if you make a few reasonable assumptions on the overall time its running you can get close to a real cost.