Heated drying rack vs. electric clothes dryer: running cost
A heated drying rack is cheaper to run: about $26 a year versus $148 for an electric clothes dryer at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $122 difference.
| Heated drying rack | Electric clothes dryer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 230 W | 5,000 W |
| Watt range | 100–300 W | 1,800–6,000 W |
| Typical use | 4 hours a day, 3 days a week | 6 loads a week |
| Energy per year | 144 kWh | 823 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 4.1¢ | 47¢ |
| Cost per day | 7.1¢ | 41¢ |
| Cost per month | $2.16 | $12.33 |
| Cost per year | $26 | $148 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $63 | $358 |
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What drives the difference
- Heated drying rack: Heated airers use about 100-300 W and dry a load over several hours for roughly 1 kWh, less than half of a vented dryer.
- 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
Traps heat so clothes dry faster on the same watts.
See options on AmazonUses about 50-60% less energy per load.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a heated drying rack 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 $26 for a heated drying rack. That's $122 more, or 5.7× as much.
How many watts do heated drying rack and electric clothes dryer use?
A heated drying rack typically draws 230 W (range 100–300 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.