How Much Does It Cost to Run an Electric Clothes Dryer?
An electric dryer pulls about 3,000 watts of heat, but each load only runs an hour or so — so cost is driven by how many loads you do. At the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh, running an electric clothes dryer costs about $15.04/month ($180.46/year) at typical use. Adjust the watts, hours, and your rate below for your exact number.
Cost to run an electric clothes dryer
$180/yr
- Per day
- $0.49
- Per month
- $15.04
- Energy per year
- 1,095 kWh
Cost = power (kW) × hours × days × your rate. Defaults are typical values — enter your appliance's actual watts (often on a label) and your real rate for a precise figure.
How much electricity does an electric clothes dryer use?
At 3,000 W for 1 hour a day, an electric clothes dryer uses about 3.0 kWh per day — roughly 91 kWh per month and 1,095 kWh per year. That's about 11% of the 863 kWh the average US home uses in a month. Energy use is the same everywhere — only the price per kWh changes your bill.
Wondering about the circuit instead? See how many amps an electric clothes dryer draws.
Cost to run an electric clothes dryer by electricity rate
Same 3,000 W appliance, 1 h/day — the bill changes with where you live.
| Scenario | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest states (North Dakota) | 11.5¢ | $10.50 | $126.03 |
| US average | 16.5¢ | $15.04 | $180.46 |
| Most expensive (Hawaii) | 42.9¢ | $39.11 | $469.32 |
Find your state's rate on the electricity rates by state page, or see the appliance wattage chart for more devices.
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