Walking through an appliance showroom, you'll notice every dryer displays an Energy Rating Label - that familiar red and yellow sticker with stars and numbers. But what do those ratings actually mean, and how can you use them to make a smart purchasing decision?
This guide demystifies energy ratings for clothes dryers, showing you how to read the labels correctly, calculate realistic running costs, and understand why energy efficiency should be a key factor in your decision.
The Australian Energy Rating Label Explained
The Energy Rating Label is a mandatory requirement for clothes dryers sold in Australia. It's designed to help consumers compare energy efficiency at a glance, using a standardised testing methodology regulated by the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) program.
Star Ratings
The label displays between 1 and 10 stars. More stars indicate greater energy efficiency - a dryer that achieves the same drying result using less electricity. The scale is relative to other dryers on the market, not an absolute measure.
Here's what typical ratings look like by dryer type:
- Vented dryers: 1-3 stars
- Condenser dryers: 2-5 stars
- Heat pump dryers: 7-10 stars
The dramatic difference reflects fundamental technology variations. Heat pump dryers recycle heat rather than generating new heat continuously, making them inherently more efficient regardless of brand or features.
Energy Consumption Figure
Below the stars, you'll find a number in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This represents the estimated energy consumption for a standardised year of use based on testing methodology. For dryers, this typically assumes a specific number of drying cycles annually.
However, this figure has limitations. It's based on laboratory testing with standardised loads and conditions. Your actual usage will vary depending on how often you run the dryer, how you load it, and what settings you use.
Reading the Fine Print
The label also shows the dryer's capacity in kilograms. When comparing energy figures, always ensure you're comparing dryers of similar capacity - a 10kg dryer will naturally use more energy per cycle than a 6kg model, even at the same efficiency level.
Calculating Real Running Costs
To understand what a dryer will actually cost to run, you need two pieces of information: the energy consumption per cycle and your electricity rate.
Step 1: Find Energy Per Cycle
The label shows annual consumption, but you need per-cycle consumption. Manufacturers typically test based on around 200-250 cycles per year. Divide the annual kWh by this number (check the fine print or manufacturer specifications) to get per-cycle consumption.
Alternatively, some manufacturers publish per-cycle figures directly in specifications:
- Vented dryers: typically 4-6 kWh per cycle
- Condenser dryers: typically 3-5 kWh per cycle
- Heat pump dryers: typically 1.5-2.5 kWh per cycle
Step 2: Know Your Electricity Rate
Check your electricity bill for your rate per kilowatt-hour. As of 2026, Australian rates typically range from 25-40 cents per kWh depending on your state, provider, and plan. The national average is approximately 30-32 cents.
Step 3: Calculate Cost Per Cycle
Multiply kWh per cycle by your electricity rate:
Example: A condenser dryer using 4 kWh per cycle at 30 cents/kWh costs $1.20 per load.
A heat pump dryer using 2 kWh per cycle at 30 cents/kWh costs $0.60 per load.
Step 4: Estimate Annual Costs
Multiply by your typical weekly loads and 52 weeks:
Example (5 loads per week):
- Condenser: $1.20 × 5 × 52 = $312 per year
- Heat pump: $0.60 × 5 × 52 = $156 per year
Long-Term Perspective
Over a 10-year dryer lifespan, that $156 annual difference amounts to $1,560 in savings. This often exceeds the initial price difference between condenser and heat pump models, making the more expensive option the better value overall.
Factors That Affect Real-World Efficiency
Energy ratings are determined under controlled laboratory conditions. In practice, several factors influence actual consumption:
Load Size and Type
Full loads are more efficient than partial loads - the dryer uses similar energy regardless of whether it's drying 2kg or 7kg. Heavy items like towels and jeans require more energy than light cottons and synthetics.
Sensor Drying vs Timed Drying
Using sensor drying programs, which stop when clothes reach the target dryness, is significantly more efficient than timed programs that run regardless of when clothes are actually dry.
Maintenance
A clogged lint filter can increase energy consumption by 30% or more. Regular maintenance keeps your dryer operating at its rated efficiency.
Spin Speed
Clothes that have been well spun in the washing machine contain less moisture, requiring less energy to dry. A high-speed spin uses far less electricity than equivalent drying time.
Comparing Different Capacity Dryers
Energy consumption scales roughly with capacity, but not linearly. Larger dryers often achieve better per-kilogram efficiency, though they use more energy in total.
When comparing, consider:
- Compare similar capacities for a fair assessment
- Consider how you'll actually use the dryer - running a 10kg dryer half-full wastes energy
- Larger capacity means fewer cycles for the same laundry volume
The Economics of Upgrading
If you're considering replacing an older dryer with a more efficient model, calculating the payback period helps justify the investment.
Calculating Payback Period
- Estimate current annual running cost (old dryer consumption × cycles × electricity rate)
- Calculate new annual running cost for prospective dryer
- Determine annual savings (step 1 minus step 2)
- Divide purchase price by annual savings
Example:
- Old vented dryer: 500 kWh/year × $0.30 = $150/year
- New heat pump dryer: 200 kWh/year × $0.30 = $60/year
- Annual savings: $90
- If new dryer costs $1,800: payback = 20 years
- If old dryer already needs replacing, compare to alternative: condenser at $1,000 vs heat pump at $1,800
- Extra $800 ÷ $90 annual savings = 8.9 year payback on the premium
For most households, if your current dryer still works, the payback period for replacement may be long. But if you're buying anyway, the incremental cost of higher efficiency often pays back quickly.
State-Based Electricity Variations
Running costs vary significantly across Australia due to different electricity prices:
- South Australia: Highest rates (~35-40c/kWh) - efficiency matters most
- Queensland: Variable rates (~28-35c/kWh)
- NSW: Moderate rates (~28-33c/kWh)
- Victoria: Moderate rates (~25-30c/kWh)
- Tasmania: Lower rates (~22-28c/kWh) - payback period is longer
If you live in a high-cost state, investing in a high-efficiency dryer has a faster payback. In lower-cost states, the economics are less compelling, though efficiency still saves money over time.
Time-of-Use Rates
Many electricity plans charge different rates at different times. If you're on time-of-use pricing, running your dryer during off-peak periods (often overnight or weekends) can significantly reduce costs regardless of efficiency rating. Look for dryers with delay-start features to take advantage of cheaper rates.
Beyond Energy: Total Cost of Ownership
Energy efficiency is important, but consider the complete picture:
- Purchase price: The upfront cost affects total investment
- Running costs: Multiply per-cycle costs by expected usage over the dryer's life
- Reliability: A cheap dryer that needs early replacement may cost more overall
- Repair costs: Some technologies are more expensive to repair
- Fabric wear: Lower temperatures in heat pump dryers extend clothing life - a hidden savings
Making Your Decision
Use energy ratings as one tool among several when choosing a dryer. They're most useful for comparing within the same technology type. For comparing across types (vented vs condenser vs heat pump), factor in running costs, upfront cost, your laundry volume, and how long you'll keep the appliance.
Use our dryer comparison tool to filter by energy rating and see estimated running costs, or check out our detailed comparison of heat pump vs condenser dryers for help choosing between technologies.