How Much Does It Cost to Run an electric clothes dryer?
A typical clothes dryer uses about 3,000 watts, which costs about $0.54 per hour. Used 1 hour a day, that is $0.54 per day, $16 per month and about $197 per year at the US average of about 18 cents per kWh. Change the numbers below for your own model and rate.
Typical estimate: about 1 hour a day, or 5–7 loads a week. These are typical estimates – check your own label or use a plug-in meter for exact figures.
Clothes dryer running cost by electricity rate
Rates vary widely across the country. $0.12 is typical of low-cost areas, $0.18 is about the national average, and $0.25–$0.35 or more is common in high-cost areas such as parts of California, New England and Hawaii.
| Rate per kWh | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.12 | $0.360 | $0.36 | $10.95 | $131 |
| $0.18 | $0.540 | $0.54 | $16.43 | $197 |
| $0.25 | $0.750 | $0.75 | $22.82 | $274 |
| $0.35 | $1.050 | $1.05 | $31.94 | $383 |
Based on 3,000 W for 1 h/day; month = 30.42 days.
Cost by hours of use per day
| Hours per day | kWh per month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 h | 46 | $0.27 | $8.21 | $99 |
| 1 h | 91 | $0.54 | $16.43 | $197 |
| 2 h | 183 | $1.08 | $32.85 | $394 |
At 18 cents per kWh and 3,000 W.
Low, typical and high wattage
A standard electric dryer uses about 3,000 W on average over a cycle, with the heating element pulling up to 5,000 W. Heat pump dryers use substantially less.
| Case | Watts | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 1,800 | $0.324 | $9.86 | $118 |
| Typical | 3,000 | $0.540 | $16.43 | $197 |
| High | 5,000 | $0.900 | $27.38 | $328 |
At 1 h/day and 18 cents per kWh.
How it is calculated
3,000 W × 1 h ÷ 1,000 = 3 kWh per day
3 kWh × $0.18 = $0.54 per day
$0.54 × 30.42 days = $16.43 per month
How to cut the cost of running an electric clothes dryer
- Clean the lint screen every load and the vent duct at least yearly – restricted airflow can add many minutes to every cycle.
- Use the moisture-sensor auto-dry setting instead of timed dry, which keeps heating after clothes are dry.
- Spin out more water first: washers with high spin speeds can shorten dryer time noticeably, especially for towels and jeans.
- Dry loads back to back while the drum is warm, and keep the dryer vent short and straight.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric clothes dryer per month?
At 18 cents per kWh, a typical 3,000 W clothes dryer used 1 hours a day costs about $16.43 per month (91 kWh). That is about $197 a year.
How much does it cost to run an electric clothes dryer per hour?
About $0.540 per hour at 18 cents per kWh, or $1.050 per hour if you pay 35 cents per kWh. Multiply by your hours of use to estimate any day.
Why does the cost of an electric clothes dryer vary so much?
Wattage varies by model and setting – from 1,800 W to 5,000 W here. At the same 1 hours a day and 18 cents per kWh, that is $10 to $27 per month. Your electricity rate matters just as much: at 35 cents per kWh the typical unit costs $32 per month.