Electric clothes dryer vs. heat pump dryer: running cost
A heat pump dryer is cheaper to run: about $69 a year versus $148 for an electric clothes dryer at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $79 difference.
| Electric clothes dryer | Heat pump dryer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 5,000 W | 800 W |
| Watt range | 1,800–6,000 W | 500–1,500 W |
| Typical use | 6 loads a week | 6 loads a week |
| Energy per year | 823 kWh | 384 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 47¢ | 22¢ |
| Cost per day | 41¢ | 19¢ |
| Cost per month | $12.33 | $5.76 |
| Cost per year | $148 | $69 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $358 | $167 |
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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.
- Heat pump dryer: Heat pump dryers recycle heat in a closed loop and draw 500-1,500 W, using about 1-1.5 kWh per load, roughly half of a conventional electric dryer. Cycles take longer.
Ways to cut either cost
Air-drying delicates and towels saves the remaining kWh.
See options on AmazonUses about 50-60% less energy per load.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, an electric clothes dryer or a heat pump dryer?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an electric clothes dryer costs about $148 a year versus $69 for a heat pump dryer. That's $79 more, or 2.1× as much.
How many watts do electric clothes dryer and heat pump dryer use?
An electric clothes dryer typically draws 5,000 W (range 1,800–6,000 W). A heat pump dryer draws 800 W (range 500–1,500 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.