Whether you have luscious locks of hair, or a precious few strands, a hair dryer will be found in nearly every Australian bathroom. But have you ever considered how much that hair dryer contributes to your electricity bill?
To fuel your curiosity and help you understand your electricity costs a little better, we’ve done some digging to see how much your hair dryer is really adding to your power bill.
On this page:
How much does it cost to use a hair dryer?
According to Canstar Blue data, using a hair dryer on high speed will generally cost between 1.0c and 1.3c per minute, depending on your electricity rate, as well as the wattage of your blow dryer.
When used on high settings, most general purpose hair dryers consume between 1900 watts and 2400 watts. The higher the wattage, the more expensive it is to run. If you’re not sure about your hairdryers wattage, it can be found on the label attached to the cord.
Below is a table with some indicative costs of running different powered hair dryers for certain periods of time.
Hair dryer running costs
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| Hair Dryer Wattage | 1 minute | 2 minutes | 5 minutes | 10 minutes | 30 minutes | Annual Cost (10 minutes/day, 5 days/week) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900W | 1.0c | 2.1c | 5.2c | 10.4c | 31.2c | $27.04 |
| 2000W | 1.1c | 2.2c | 5.5c | 10.9c | 32.8c | $28.34 |
| 2100W | 1.1c | 2.3c | 5.7c | 11.5c | 34.4c | $29.90 |
| 2150W | 1.2c | 2.4c | 5.9c | 11.8c | 35.3c | $30.68 |
| 2200W | 1.2c | 2.4c | 6.0c | 12.0c | 36.1c | $31.20 |
| 2300W | 1.3c | 2.5c | 6.3c | 12.6c | 37.7c | $32.76 |
| 2400W | 1.3c | 2.6c | 6.6c | 13.1c | 39.4c | $34.06 |
The good news is that your hair dryer is unlikely to blow out the energy bill budget. That said, there is still room to save if you use your hair dryer excessively or unnecessarily.
While these small savings are always welcome, if your electricity bill was higher than expected, the hair dryer is an unlikely culprit. Consider the usage costs of your cooling appliances, hot water system, swimming pool or clothes dryer instead, as these tend to be some of the most energy draining appliances in the home.
Compare cheap electricity plans
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Is it worth switching to a low-wattage hair dryer?
The table above makes evident that low wattage hair dryers consume less electricity, making them a more affordable choice. But is it worth ditching your high-powered hair dryer?
Well, low wattage means less power and less power means it will take longer to dry your hair. With that said, the difference in drying time between a 2000W hair dryer and a 2300W blow dryer is relatively small. Unless you’re a professional hair dresser, or your hair is very thick, any hair dryer over 1800 watts will be sufficient.
Even some of the cheapest blow dryers on the market are quite powerful. The price difference between these models and ‘high-end’ products generally comes from the product materials and functionality of the dryer – not necessarily its power output.
How do settings affect blow dryer electricity usage?
Most hair dryers will have between two and six air speed and temperature settings. The wattage indicated on the label represents the power consumed when a blow dryer is operating at a high airspeed and temperature. However, if your hairdryer has the functionality, using it on low speeds or temperatures could help to reduce its energy consumption.
Original Author: Brendon O’Neill
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