The short answer

The EU dryer label introduced in July 2025 uses A–G classes and weighted eco energy per 100 drying cycles. Divide that energy by 100 before pricing one stated cycle. Older annual labels and Great Britain’s transition context must be read on their own units and test bases rather than mixed into that cycle calculation.

The consumption basis changed

The European Commission describes the EU dryer label introduced from 1 July 2025: an A–G efficiency scale and weighted energy consumption per 100 drying cycles. The figures use the eco programme.

Capacity, programme time, noise and condensation information describe other aspects of the appliance. They do not replace the kWh figure when calculating electricity cost.

Calculate one stated cycle first

Consider an illustrative 110 kWh per 100 cycles. Dividing by 100 gives 1.10 kWh per cycle on the stated test basis.

At €0.30 per kWh, one cycle costs €0.33. At four cycles per week over 52 weeks:

1.10 × 4 × 52 = 228.8 kWh per year

228.8 × €0.30 = €68.64 per year

If the household runs two cycles per week, the frequency-based annual result halves to €34.32. The printed energy figure itself has not changed.

Do not reuse an older annual number as a 100-cycle number

Older EU dryer labels used a different presentation and annual consumption basis. A value such as “300 kWh/year” belongs in the annual field. It is not “300 kWh per 100 cycles”.

If you have only an annual figure, keep it annual unless the documentation also provides a compatible per-cycle value. Do not reverse-engineer a personalized cycle figure from a guessed test frequency.

Great Britain has separate label arrangements. Read the UK guide rather than treating the EU changeover date as a universal UK rule.

A shortlist needs more than the letter

Check the exact model, usable drying capacity, programme basis and quoted price. For a cost comparison, enter compatible consumption figures and the same planned household frequency.

These calculations estimate electricity only and hold the tariff constant. A different load, programme or routine can change actual use.

Open the tumble-dryer calculator, or compare dryer purchase options. Read the heat-pump comparison guide for a worked example with two candidate appliances.