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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dryer? Per Load, Per Hour and Per Month
What an electric clothes dryer costs per load, per hour and per month from its wattage and your rate per kWh. Table, calculator and ENERGY STAR facts.
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Quick answer: an electric dryer costs kilowatts × hours × your price per kWh. The rating plate on the dryer gives its power in watts. With an assumed 3,000 W, a 45-minute load uses 2.25 kWh, which is about $0.38 at an example rate of $0.17 per kWh. Your own rate is on your bill.
This article covers electric dryers. Gas dryers use gas for heat, so their cost depends on your gas price.
The formula
Cost per load = kilowatts × hours per load × price per kWh
Find the wattage on the rating plate (usually inside the door or on the back). Divide by 1,000 for kilowatts. Time one typical cycle to get the hours.
Example table
These figures are assumed: $0.17 per kWh, 45-minute loads and 20 loads a month. Real dryers vary, so use your own numbers.
| Dryer power | Cost per hour | Cost per 45-minute load | Cost per month (20 loads) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,000 W | $0.34 | $0.26 | $5.10 |
| 3,000 W | $0.51 | $0.38 | $7.65 |
| 4,000 W | $0.68 | $0.51 | $10.20 |
A dryer's heating element cycles on and off, so the actual draw over a cycle is usually less than the maximum on the plate. A plug-in power meter can measure real use (some 240-volt dryers need other methods, so ask an electrician).
Calculate yours
Enter the dryer's watts, the hours per load and the number of loads in "days".
What ENERGY STAR says
- A full-size electric ENERGY STAR dryer saves about $210 in energy bills over its life, according to ENERGY STAR.
- Heat pump dryers "use around 70% less energy than a conventional clothes dryers." They cost more upfront and the water must be emptied after each load.
- Drying one towel for 30 minutes costs about as much as drying a full load for the same time, so it pays to dry full loads.
Ways to spend less
- Dry full loads and avoid running the dryer for one or two items.
- Use a moisture-sensor setting if your dryer has one, so it stops when clothes are dry.
- Air-dry some items when you can.
- If the cost is a concern, see how to lower your electric bill.
FAQ
How much does it cost to run a dryer for an hour? Use the table: with the assumptions above, $0.34 to $0.68 per hour.
Is it cheaper to dry at certain hours? Only if your utility has time-of-use rates. Check your plan.
What about washers, fridges and other appliances? The same formula works. See how much electricity an appliance uses and our guide to refrigerators.
Next steps
Find the wattage, time one load, plug in your rate and compare with the table.
