Front-load washer vs. electric clothes dryer: running cost
A front-load washer is cheaper to run: about $28 a year versus $148 for an electric clothes dryer at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $120 difference.
| Front-load washer | Electric clothes dryer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 300 W | 5,000 W |
| Watt range | 150–1,200 W | 1,800–6,000 W |
| Typical use | 6 loads a week | 6 loads a week |
| Energy per year | 158 kWh | 823 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 8.1¢ | 47¢ |
| Cost per day | 7.8¢ | 41¢ |
| Cost per month | $2.37 | $12.33 |
| Cost per year | $28 | $148 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $69 | $358 |
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What drives the difference
- Front-load washer: Front loaders tumble clothes through a small amount of water, using about 0.3-0.6 kWh per load including water heating. Sanitize cycles with internal heaters can use 2-3 kWh.
- 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.
Ways to cut either cost
Pairs with a front loader to cut drying energy by about half.
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, a front-load washer or an electric clothes dryer?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an electric clothes dryer costs about $148 a year versus $28 for a front-load washer. That's $120 more, or 5.2× as much.
How many watts do front-load washer and electric clothes dryer use?
A front-load washer typically draws 300 W (range 150–1,200 W). An electric clothes dryer draws 5,000 W (range 1,800–6,000 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.