Most Kiwi homes see the clothes dryer as a necessary appliance, especially in winter. But while dryers are convenient, they come with hidden costs that add up quickly over time. Let’s break down the real cost of running a dryer, and why switching to a ceiling-mounted drying rack like SkyDry makes financial sense.
The Power Cost Per Load
- A standard electric dryer uses about 2–3 kWh per cycle, costing $0.60–$1.00 per load at today’s NZ power prices.
- A heat pump dryer is more efficient, using ~1 kWh per load, or around $0.30 per load.
That might not sound like much, but it adds up when you’re doing laundry several times a week.
The Yearly Cost of Drying
For the average family running 3–5 loads per week:
- Standard dryer: $140–$265 per year in power.
- Heat pump dryer: $50–$90 per year.
Over 9 years (the typical life of a dryer), that’s $1,500–$2,500 just in power bills, and that doesn’t even include the cost of buying the dryer.
Purchase & Maintenance Costs
- Standard dryers cost $600–$1,200 upfront.
- Heat pump dryers cost $1,500–$3,000.
- Add in servicing, parts, and eventual replacement, and the true cost is far higher than most households expect.
The Hidden Cost: Clothing Wear & Tear
Dryers don’t just eat electricity, they’re tough on clothes. The heat and tumbling cause shrinkage, fading, and fibre damage, meaning your favourite clothes wear out faster.
For an average household, studies suggest this adds about $60–$100 per year in replacement clothing costs. But for families who invest in higher-quality wardrobes — merino, linen, denim, silk, designer wear. The costs can be much higher.
Example:
- A $250 merino jersey that lasts 6 years when air-dried may only last 2–3 years if regularly tumble-dried. That’s $40–$60 per year lost on one item alone.
- Multiply that across coats, jeans, shirts, and bedding, and premium households could easily see $300–$600 per year in hidden dryer damage.
In other words: the better your clothes, the more a dryer costs you.
The 9-Year Reality Check
When you combine power, purchase, maintenance, and clothing wear:
- Standard Dryer: ~$3,500–$4,500 over 9 years
- Heat Pump Dryer: ~$3,500–$4,200 over 9 years
- SkyDry: ~$850 one-time cost, built to last a lifetime
Why SkyDry Wins
SkyDry uses zero power, is gentle on clothes, and saves families thousands of dollars over its lifetime. Plus, it frees up space, makes no noise, and helps reduce your household’s carbon footprint.
For households with premium wardrobes, the savings are even greater: you’re not just avoiding power bills — you’re protecting your investment in quality clothing.
Ready to Save?
Check out our models:
- SkyDry 3 (Family) – 16m of drying space
- SkyDry 2 (Couple) – 11m of drying space
- SkyDry 1 (Compact) – 4.8m of drying space