September 4, 2026, 9:43 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Especially in large households and with large amounts of laundry, drying can quickly become a test of patience. A clothes dryer provides relief. The device is space-saving, and the laundry is ready for use again in a short time. But who benefits from purchasing one, and how does a dryer actually work?
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How Does a Clothes Dryer Work?
Anyone who regularly dries their laundry in the garden will have noticed: On dry, warm, and windy days, laundry dries the fastest. A clothes dryer follows a similar principle. Wet laundry is placed in a rotating drum and exposed to warm, dry air. The water from the textiles can evaporate and is stored as condensate or discharged via a hose. Depending on the design, the process may vary. According to the HEA – Association for Efficient Energy Use, there are three different types of clothes dryers: vented dryers, condenser dryers, and heat pump dryers. They all operate similarly but have technical differences.
Vented Dryers
There are only a few vented dryers on the market today because they are relatively inflexible and have poor energy efficiency. The previously heated and moist air is not reused in this device but is channeled outside through a duct. Therefore, operation requires an exhaust connection.
Condenser Dryers
In a condenser dryer, the heated and moist air is passed through a heat exchanger and cooled. During this process, heat energy is released into the room. The condensed water ends up in a collection container or is directly drained into the sewage system. The cooled air inside the device is then drawn in again and reheated. The downside: The heat extracted during cooling is released into the surrounding air and is no longer available for the drying process, resulting in higher energy consumption than a heat pump dryer.
Heat Pump Dryers
A heat pump dryer operates similarly to a condenser dryer but uses heat much more efficiently. The warm air is “recycled” in a closed loop and reused for drying instead of being expelled unused. Although the drying time is longer, the device operates energy-efficiently and at lower temperatures.
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Which Device Is Right?
The Consumer Center points out the high energy costs and clearly recommends the heat pump dryer: “Condenser dryers without heat pump technology or vented dryers consume significantly more electricity. Vented dryers, in particular, are no longer up to date because they consume too much electricity. Additionally, the moist air must be vented outside through a hose.”
Furthermore, before purchasing, pay attention to the EU energy label, which indicates electricity consumption, among other things. The Consumer Center recommends comparing the electricity costs and purchase price and, if necessary, opting for the more expensive but more energy-efficient device. Often, the costs balance out after a few years of use.
Who Benefits from a Clothes Dryer?
This question is difficult to answer generally, as it depends on living and housing conditions rather than the size of the household. If the apartment or house has a larger outdoor area like a garden or terrace, a clothesline outdoors may be sufficient. However, the laundry must be hung manually, which takes time and effort. A clothes dryer, on the other hand, is particularly practical for families, couples with little time, and households with large amounts of laundry. Especially in the winter months, during bad weather, or when space is limited, the dryer shows its strengths.
Even though it is not possible to say exactly at what household size a dryer might be useful, the Consumer Center provides guidance on capacity. For a single or couple household, a device with up to seven kilograms of capacity is sufficient, while about eight kilograms is advisable for a larger shared apartment or family.
However, it is generally true that while a clothes dryer offers many advantages—especially in terms of convenience—its high electricity consumption should not be overlooked.
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What Does Operating a Clothes Dryer Cost?
The actual costs of operating a clothes dryer depend significantly on the device, the program, the electricity price, and the frequency of use. A look at the new EU energy label helps with the assessment. On a scale from A to G, it shows the energy consumption for 100 drying cycles since July 1, 2025, according to the EU Commission. The actual electricity costs can be easily calculated based on this. For example, if a device consumes 100 kWh per 100 drying cycles with a kWh price of 40 cents, the electricity cost for 100 drying cycles is 40 euros.
In a new test, Stiftung Warentest applied this calculation to several different devices with heat pumps and showed that the differences in electricity consumption can indeed add up over the years. For their calculations, the testers assumed an electricity price of 40 cents per kWh and a consumption of 1.14 kWh per drying cycle. Over 10 years, this results in a difference in electricity costs of nearly 500 euros, depending on the device. “The clothes dryer test shows: In the long run, good dryers save a lot of money,” is the conclusion.
Saving Energy Despite a Clothes Dryer
A clothes dryer is not a necessity for every household. However, those who do not want to do without it should follow a few energy-saving tips. The better the laundry is pre-spun in the washing machine, the less drying time the dryer needs afterward. The Consumer Center recommends a spin speed of 1600 revolutions per minute. An integrated moisture sensor in the machine is also useful. It not only detects when the laundry is dry but also automatically stops the drying program. Those who want to save even more electricity can hardly avoid a clothesline. Especially in the summer months, it is the most energy-efficient solution.