APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does a hair dryer cost to run?
Hair dryers are rated at around 1.6 to 2.2 kW, but are used for only a few minutes at a time. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, a hair dryer costs about 58p an hour at full power, or 9.7p for a typical 10-minute use.
PER HOUR
58pat 2,200 W, full powerPER USE
9.7p0.37 kWh over 10 minutesPER WEEK
68p7 uses a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£35134 kWh at the assumed useWork out your own cost
Choose your region or type in your own unit rate, then change the wattage and hours to match your appliance and how you use it. It starts with a week at our assumed use, averaged to hours a day.
2.6 kWh over 7 days · about £0.10 a day
How much electricity it uses
- The Dyson Supersonic is rated at 1,600 W and the Remington Ionic Dry 2200 (D3190S) at 2,200 W.
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per use | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | 1,600 W | 42p | 7p | £26 |
| Typical | 2,200 W | 58p | 9.7p | £35 |
Usage assumption: Ten minutes a day at full power. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Heat and speed setting.
- How long you dry: towel-drying first shortens it.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair dryer | 1 use, 10 minutes | 0.37 kWh | 9.7p |
| Iron | 1 session, 30 minutes | 1.30 kWh | 34p |
| Electric shower | 1 shower, 7.5 minutes | 1.19 kWh | 31p |
Ways to spend less
Unit rates vary by region: this period they run from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. See every region’s rate →
Questions
How much does a hair dryer cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), a hair dryer rated at 2,200 W costs about 58p an hour at full power. Models from 1,600 W to 2,200 W cost 42p to 58p an hour.
How much does a hair dryer cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is ten minutes a day at full power. At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £35 a year (134 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
Does the cost depend on where I live?
Yes, a little. Price-cap electricity unit rates for October–December 2026 range from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Pick your region in the calculator, or enter the unit rate from your bill if you are on a fixed or time-of-use tariff.
About these figures
Running costs are energy used × unit rate. They exclude the daily standing charge, which you pay whether or not the appliance runs. Costs per hour assume the appliance draws its full rated power the whole time; many appliances cycle on and off, so real use is often lower. Power ratings and energy figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
Other appliances
Sources
- Dyson Supersonic technical specification (PDF) ↗1,600 W.
- Remington Ionic Dry 2200 hair dryer D3190S ↗2,200 W.
- Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average electricity unit rate and VAT basis, October–December 2026.
Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →