Are Heat Pump Dryers Worth It in Ontario? Costs, Savings and Trade-offs

Are heat pump dryers worth it in Ontario? Mainly when you are already replacing a dryer: they use roughly 50% less electricity than a conventional electric dryer, which works out to about $40–$80 a year for a typical household. On energy savings alone, replacing a working dryer early usually does not pay back, but the ventless design, gentler drying and lower running cost make a heat pump dryer a good choice at replacement time.

This guide covers how heat pump dryers work, realistic Ontario costs, installation, and the trade-offs that matter in daily use.

How a heat pump dryer works

A conventional electric dryer heats air with a resistance element, blows it through the clothes once and vents the hot, humid air outdoors. A heat pump dryer uses a small refrigeration circuit instead, the same principle as a heat pump or fridge:

Warm, dry air passes through the drum and picks up moisture.
The moist air flows over a cold coil, where water condenses out.
The same air is reheated by the hot side of the heat pump and sent back to the drum.

Because the air is recycled and heat is moved rather than generated, energy use drops sharply. Water collects in a tank you empty or drains to a floor drain, standpipe or laundry sink.

How much does a heat pump dryer save in Ontario?

A conventional electric dryer uses roughly 2.5–4 kWh per load. A heat pump dryer uses roughly half that. The table uses an illustrative all-in electricity cost of 15¢/kWh after the Ontario Electricity Rebate, and gas at 45¢/m³. All figures are estimates.

Dryer type	Energy per load (estimate)	Cost per load	Annual cost at 5 loads/week
Conventional electric (vented)	2.5–4 kWh	38–60¢	~$100–$155
Heat pump (ventless)	1.2–2 kWh	18–30¢	~$47–$78
Gas dryer (vented)	~0.25–0.35 m³ plus ~0.3 kWh	~16–20¢	~$42–$52

A household doing five loads a week saves roughly $50–$80 a year switching from conventional electric to heat pump. A family doing ten loads a week can roughly double that. Use our appliance energy cost calculator with your own load count.

Gas dryers are cheap to run at current gas prices, but they need a gas line and an outdoor vent, and installation must be done by a TSSA-registered contractor. If you already have a gas dryer that works, there is little financial case for switching.

The hidden saving: no exhaust

A vented dryer pushes indoor air outdoors while it runs, often over 100 cubic feet per minute. In winter, that air is replaced by cold outdoor air leaking in elsewhere, which your furnace or heat pump then has to heat. In summer, it pulls in hot, humid air your air conditioner must cool. A ventless heat pump dryer avoids this, and it releases a little heat into the laundry room instead. The effect is hard to measure but real, especially in airtight newer homes.

Upfront cost and payback

Typical 2026 prices (estimates, before taxes and delivery):

Item	Typical range
Conventional electric dryer	$700–$1,400
Full-size heat pump dryer	$1,400–$2,500
Compact (24-inch) heat pump dryer	$1,300–$2,200
All-in-one washer-dryer with heat pump drying	$2,000–$3,500

If a heat pump dryer costs $700–$1,000 more than a comparable conventional model and saves $60 a year, simple payback is well over 10 years, roughly the life of the appliance. A rebate, higher laundry volume, or the need to avoid a new vent can tip the balance. Heavy users (large families, people who dry towels and bedding often) see the best economics.

Tip: The cheapest dryer energy is the dryer you do not run. A washer with a high final spin removes more water before drying, and a drying rack for some loads costs almost nothing.

Installation and day-to-day use

Venting, drains and wiring

No vent required. Heat pump dryers are ventless, so they suit condos where venting is restricted, interior closets and basements far from an exterior wall. When you remove an old vented dryer, seal the old vent opening properly to avoid a cold air leak.

Condensate. Most models collect water in a removable tank (emptied every load or two) or can drain through a hose to a nearby drain. If you have a drain within reach, use it.

Electrical. Many full-size heat pump dryers still require a 240 V circuit, though some models run on a standard 120 V outlet, which is useful in condos and older homes. Check the installation manual. If you need a new circuit, a licensed electrician should do the work under an ESA permit.

Room conditions. Heat pump dryers work best in rooms that are not very cold. A laundry room in an unheated garage or a cold basement corner (below about 5–10 °C, depending on the model) can slow drying significantly. Check the manufacturer's operating range.

Everyday trade-offs

Be clear about what changes when you switch:

Longer cycles. A typical load can take 1.5 to 2.5 hours, compared with 45 to 75 minutes in a conventional dryer.
Cooler drying. Lower temperatures are gentler on fabrics and reduce shrinkage, but clothes come out feeling cooler and can seem slightly damp until they cool and settle.
Filter cleaning. Most models have two lint filters, plus a condenser filter or self-cleaning system. Skipping cleaning slows drying noticeably.
Capacity. Compact models are smaller; large households may prefer a full-size unit.

Timing laundry around your price plan

Because heat pump dryers run longer, timing matters. On Time-of-Use, off-peak is 9.1¢/kWh (commodity) on weekdays from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and all weekend. On Ultra-Low Overnight, avoid weekdays from 4 to 9 p.m. (37.7¢/kWh). Weekend laundry is off-peak on both plans. Compare options in our Ontario electricity price plans guide, or see the best times in our post on when to run the dishwasher and laundry.

Caution: Do not run any dryer overnight or while no one is home. Fire safety matters more than a few cents of savings.

Rebates

According to Save on Energy, the Home Renovation Savings Program has offered up to $200 for eligible ENERGY STAR appliances, including dryers, through its product route, with no energy assessment required. Eligible models and terms change, so confirm on saveonenergy.ca (opens in a new tab) before buying. See our ENERGY STAR appliances guide for other appliance choices.

Are heat pump dryers worth it? Quick decision guide

Your situation	Recommendation
Current electric dryer works fine	Keep it; maintain the vent and lint filter
Electric dryer has failed, average use	Heat pump dryer is a good option, especially with a rebate
Heavy laundry use (10+ loads/week)	Heat pump dryer pays back faster
Condo or no practical vent route	Heat pump dryer is often the best choice
Working gas dryer	Little financial reason to switch
Laundry in a very cold space	Check operating range or consider a conventional model

Frequently asked questions

Do heat pump dryers really get clothes dry?

Yes. They dry at lower temperatures, so clothes can feel cooler and slightly damp right after the cycle, but they are dry once they cool. Using sensor-dry settings and keeping filters clean helps.

Do heat pump dryers need maintenance?

Clean the lint filters every load and rinse the condenser filter as directed in the manual, often every few weeks. Empty the water tank if you are not using a drain hose.

Is a heat pump dryer good for a renter or condo owner?

Often, yes, because no vent is needed and some models plug into a standard outlet. Condo owners should check any board rules on appliance changes; renters need landlord approval. See our renters and condo energy guide.

Do heat pump dryers use refrigerant?

Yes, they contain a small sealed refrigerant circuit. At end of life, have the appliance recycled through a program that recovers refrigerant properly, as with an old fridge.