For many of us, a hairdryer is an undeniable part of our everyday styling routine. But have you ever stopped to think “how much does it cost to run a hair dryer“? Use the hair dryer electricity calculator below to find out.
How much electricity does a hair dryer use?
An average hair dryer uses between 1kW – 2kW per hour, that’s 1000 – 2000 watts per hour. Check your hair dryer wattage and enter it into the calculator above to get the most accurate electricity cost.
How to calculate the cost of using a hair dryer
Calculating the cost of using a hair dryer is straightforward. You’ll need to know the wattage of your hair dryer, the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) charged by your utility provider, and how long you use the hair dryer each day. The formula looks like this:
Daily cost = (Hair dryer wattage in watts ÷ 1000) × (cost per kWh) x (usage time in minutes ÷ 60)
For example, if you have a 1200-watt hair dryer and your electricity provider charges £0.29 per kWh, using it for 10 minutes each day would cost approximately £0.06:
Daily cost = 1200 ÷ 1000 × 0.29 x 10 ÷ 60 = £0.06 (rounded up)
Understanding wattage
Wattage is a measure of the amount of energy used by an electrical device in one second. The higher the wattage, the more electricity it consumes.
Most hair dryers have a wattage between 1000 and 2000 watts. Higher wattage hair dryers are typically more powerful, meaning they can dry your hair faster, but they also use more electricity.
Understanding kilowatt-hours (kWh)
Kilowatt-hours (kWh) is a unit of measurement used to determine the amount of energy consumed over time. Your utility company uses this unit to charge you for the electricity you use.
One kWh is equal to 1000 watts of power used continuously for one hour. Your electricity bill will list the cost per kWh charged by your utility provider, which can vary depending on where you live.
Are hair dryers energy efficient?
Hairdryers are not typically known for their energy efficiency, especially when compared to other household appliances.
Traditional models operate on a simple mechanism that relies heavily on resistive heating and strong airflow, which tends to consume a significant amount of electricity.
Not all hair dryers were created equally, which is why energy consumption can vary drastically depending on brand and model.
The good news is that the newer models you’ll find on the market today are being designed with energy efficiency as a priority.
These hairdryers might include features like ionic technology or be made with ceramic and tourmaline materials which help your hair dry quicker and reduce the time they need to run.
Plus, they come with adjustable heat settings and a cool shot button, giving you the option to dry your hair at lower temperatures, this not only saves on energy but may also be gentler on your hair.
Ultimately, if you use your hair dyer a lot but have an older model, it might be worth investing in a newer energy-efficient model to help tackle rising energy costs. As Tesco says, every little helps!
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