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Cost to run a clothes dryer (heat pump) in South Australia (2026–27)

SA reference tariff · 41.9c/kWh

$0.36 per hour at 850 W

Typical use (3 loads a week at 2 kWh per load) ≈ $131/year on the SA Power Networks rate.

Source: AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8), effective 1 July 2026

Heat-pump dryer cost in SA at 4 h/day, 365 days/year (41.9c/kWh)
Model bandPer hourPer dayPer monthPer year
Efficient (600 W)$0.25$1.01$30.58$367
Typical (850 W)$0.36$1.42$43.32$520
High (1,000 W)$0.42$1.68$50.96$612

The headline annual figure uses this appliance's measured energy per use (2 kWh per cycle) rather than a constant draw — the table shows constant-draw costs at your chosen hours.

Appliance running-cost calculator

SA

Heat-pump dryer: 600–1,000 W typical range.

Longer cycles (~2–3 h) but far lower draw than a vented dryer.

$0.36 per hour · $520/year at your settings
Per day (4 h)
$1.42
Per month
$43.32
Per year (365 days)
$520.11

Tariff: 41.9c/kWh — AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) for the SA Power Networks network, effective 1 July 2026. Wattage basis: EcoFlow AU — dryer power consumption (cross-checked Canstar Blue). Full heat-pump dryer costs in SA →

The same appliance in other states

Cutting the cost

Heat-pump dryers use far less power than vented or condenser types, so they reward a full, well-spun load. Clean both the lint filter and the condenser as the manual directs, or their efficiency quietly slips. They dry at a gentler temperature, which is kinder to clothes but takes a little longer, so start a load when you're not waiting on it in a hurry.

Frequently asked questions

What does a heat-pump dryer cost per hour in SA?
$0.36 at the typical 850 W draw on SA's reference rate of 41.9c/kWh (SA Power Networks network). Efficient models run $0.25, high-draw models $0.42.
How is this calculated?
Watts ÷ 1,000 × the tariff = cost per hour, then × hours × days for the period figures. Every figure on this page uses SA's 2026–27 reference rate — change the assumptions in the calculator above.
Is the tariff here what I actually pay?
It's the AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) usage rate for the SA Power Networks network — the government reference. Your market offer may be a little under it; your zone may differ. See SA rates by zone.

Related

Sources — figures current as at 17 July 2026.

Longer cycles (~2–3 h) but far lower draw than a vented dryer.