Electric clothes dryer vs. compact dryer: running cost
A compact dryer is cheaper to run: about $95 a year versus $148 for an electric clothes dryer at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $53 difference.
| Electric clothes dryer | Compact dryer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 5,000 W | 1,800 W |
| Watt range | 1,800–6,000 W | 800–4,000 W |
| Typical use | 6 loads a week | 5 loads a week |
| Energy per year | 823 kWh | 531 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 47¢ | 36¢ |
| Cost per day | 41¢ | 26¢ |
| Cost per month | $12.33 | $7.95 |
| Cost per year | $148 | $95 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $358 | $231 |
Compare at your rate and settings
What drives the difference
- Electric clothes dryer: Standard 240 V vented dryers have a 5,000 W heating element and use about 2-3.5 kWh per load, which makes them one of the bigger appliance loads in a home.
- Compact dryer: Compact and ventless condenser dryers dry smaller loads with 1,300-3,600 W elements over longer cycles, using about 1.5-2.5 kWh per load.
Ways to cut either cost
Ventless like a condenser dryer but uses about half the energy.
See options on AmazonUses about 50-60% less energy per load.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, an electric clothes dryer or a compact dryer?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an electric clothes dryer costs about $148 a year versus $95 for a compact dryer. That's $53 more, or 1.6× as much.
How many watts do electric clothes dryer and compact dryer use?
An electric clothes dryer typically draws 5,000 W (range 1,800–6,000 W). A compact dryer draws 1,800 W (range 800–4,000 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.