How much does it cost to run an electric clothes dryer?
An electric clothes dryer costs about 41¢ a day, $12.33 a month and $148 a year at typical use (6 loads a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. 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.
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Cost to run an electric clothes dryer in every state
The same electric clothes dryer costs $101 a year in North Dakota and $358 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $8.45 | $101 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $8.67 | $104 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $8.82 | $106 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $8.91 | $107 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $9.13 | $110 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $9.16 | $110 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $9.21 | $110 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $9.30 | $112 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $9.39 | $113 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $9.49 | $114 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $9.54 | $115 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $9.56 | $115 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $9.61 | $115 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $9.68 | $116 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $9.69 | $116 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $9.74 | $117 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $10.13 | $122 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $10.13 | $122 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $10.35 | $124 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $10.37 | $124 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $10.50 | $126 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $10.55 | $127 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $10.56 | $127 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $10.61 | $127 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $10.63 | $128 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $10.72 | $129 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $10.94 | $131 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $11.12 | $133 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $11.27 | $135 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $11.30 | $136 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $11.37 | $136 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $11.61 | $139 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $12.20 | $146 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $12.51 | $150 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $12.85 | $154 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $12.88 | $155 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $14.19 | $170 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $14.42 | $173 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $14.43 | $173 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $16.30 | $196 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $16.32 | $196 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $16.59 | $199 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $18.29 | $219 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $18.41 | $221 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $19.19 | $230 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $19.46 | $234 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $20.07 | $241 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $20.10 | $241 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $20.86 | $250 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $22.62 | $271 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $29.83 | $358 |
Most efficient electric clothes dryer models
The lowest-energy ENERGY STAR certified models in the most common size (6.3–8.5 cu ft), out of 346 certified models. In this class, the best model costs $46 a year to run. The least efficient costs $124. Same size, $77 a year apart.
| Brand | Model | Drum | kWh/yr | Cost/yr | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG | DLHC3602* +1 variant Most Efficient | 7.8 | 257 | $46 | Amazon |
| LG | DLHC8402* Most Efficient | 7.3 | 257 | $46 | Amazon |
| Samsung | DV45DG60**H* Most Efficient | 7.5 | 263 | $47 | Amazon |
| LG | DLHC5502* +2 variants Most Efficient | 7.8 | 266 | $48 | Amazon |
| Samsung | DV53BB89**H* Most Efficient | 7.8 | 281 | $51 | Amazon |
| LG | WKHC202H*A Most Efficient | 7.2 | 299 | $54 | Amazon |
| Whirlpool | WHD560CH** +1 variant Most Efficient | 7.4 | 460 | $83 | Amazon |
| Whirlpool | WED7990FW* +2 variants | 7.4 | 531 | $96 | Amazon |
| Whirlpool | WED99HED*+ | 7.3 | 531 | $96 | Amazon |
| LG | DLHX4372* | 7.3 | 556 | $100 | Amazon |
Yearly cost from the official annual energy use and 17.99¢/kWh. Look up any model in the calculator with “Look up my exact model”. Source: ENERGY STAR, updated 2026-10-21. Amazon links search for the exact model; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cut the cost
- Use the moisture-sensor or auto-dry cycle instead of timed dry; it stops 10-15% sooner on average.
- Clean the lint filter every load and the vent duct yearly; a clogged vent can add 30% to drying time.
- Dry loads back to back to use residual heat.
- Line-dry or rack-dry heavy items like towels and jeans part of the time.
- Spin clothes at the highest washer speed first.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Uses about 50-60% less energy per load.
See options on AmazonSeparate clothes so loads dry about 10-25% faster.
See options on AmazonAir-drying uses no electricity.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric clothes dryer | 5,000 | 6 loads a week | $12.33 | $148 |
| Heat pump dryer | 800 | 6 loads a week | $5.76 | $69 |
| Compact dryer | 1,800 | 5 loads a week | $7.95 | $95 |
| Washing machine | 500 | 6 loads a week | $4.82 | $58 |
| Washer dryer combo | 1,800 | 5 loads a week | $12.00 | $144 |
| Heated drying rack | 230 | 4 hours a day, 3 days a week | $2.16 | $26 |
| Steam closet | 1,600 | 4 cycles a week | $2.63 | $32 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric clothes dryer per hour?
An electric clothes dryer is usually measured per load rather than per hour. Each load uses about 2.6 kWh, or 47¢ at 17.99¢/kWh.
How much does it cost to run an electric clothes dryer per month?
At typical use (6 loads a week), an electric clothes dryer costs about $12.33 a month and $148 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an electric clothes dryer use?
Most electric clothes dryers use 1,800 to 6,000 watts. Plugged in but off, it still draws about 1 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an electric clothes dryer use?
About 2.25 kWh a day and 823 kWh a year at typical use (6 loads a week).
Does an electric clothes dryer use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 823 kWh a year is about 8% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run an electric clothes dryer or a heat pump dryer?
At typical use, an electric clothes dryer costs about $148 a year versus $69 for a heat pump dryer. So the heat pump dryer is cheaper by about $79 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an electric clothes dryer?
- Use the moisture-sensor or auto-dry cycle instead of timed dry; it stops 10-15% sooner on average.
- Clean the lint filter every load and the vent duct yearly; a clogged vent can add 30% to drying time.
- Dry loads back to back to use residual heat.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.