How much does it cost to run a clothes iron?
A clothes iron costs about 11¢ per hour, 1.5¢ a day, $0.47 a month and $6 a year at typical use (30 minutes a day, 2 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Irons draw 1,000-1,800 W while heating; the thermostat cycles the plate on and off so average draw is about half.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.17 | 3.1¢ | $0.94 | $11 |
| 2 hours | 0.34 | 6.2¢ | $1.88 | $23 |
| 4 hours | 0.69 | 12¢ | $3.75 | $45 |
| 8 hours | 1.37 | 25¢ | $7.51 | $90 |
| 12 hours | 2.06 | 37¢ | $11.26 | $135 |
| 24 hours | 4.11 | 74¢ | $22.53 | $270 |
Cost to run a clothes iron in every state
The same clothes iron costs $4 a year in North Dakota and $14 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 7.4¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 7.6¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 7.7¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 7.8¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 8.0¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 8.0¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 8.1¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 8.1¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 8.2¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 8.3¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 8.4¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 8.4¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 8.4¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 8.5¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 8.5¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 8.5¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 8.9¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 8.9¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 9.1¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 9.1¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 9.2¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 9.2¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 9.2¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 9.3¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 9.3¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 9.4¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 9.6¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 9.7¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 9.9¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 9.9¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 9.9¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 10¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 11¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 11¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 11¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 11¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 12¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 13¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 13¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 14¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 14¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 15¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 16¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 16¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 17¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 17¢ | $0.74 | $9 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 18¢ | $0.76 | $9 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 18¢ | $0.76 | $9 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 18¢ | $0.79 | $10 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 20¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 26¢ | $1.14 | $14 |
How to cut the cost
- Iron low-temperature fabrics first while the iron warms, then high-heat cottons.
- Batch ironing into one session a week instead of daily heat-ups.
- Hang clothes promptly from the dryer to avoid wrinkles needing ironing.
- Unplug when done; use one with 8-minute auto-off.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Removes light wrinkles with no electricity.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clothes iron | 1,200 | 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.47 | $6 |
| Garment steamer | 1,500 | 15 minutes a day, 3 days a week | $0.79 | $10 |
| Steam closet | 1,600 | 4 cycles a week | $2.63 | $32 |
| Electric clothes dryer | 5,000 | 6 loads a week | $12.33 | $148 |
| Compact dryer | 1,800 | 5 loads a week | $7.95 | $95 |
| Washer dryer combo | 1,800 | 5 loads a week | $12.00 | $144 |
| Heat pump dryer | 800 | 6 loads a week | $5.76 | $69 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a clothes iron per hour?
A clothes iron drawing 1,200 watts uses 0.60 kWh per hour while running (50% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 11¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 7.4¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 26¢.
How much does it cost to run a clothes iron per month?
At typical use (30 minutes a day, 2 days a week), a clothes iron costs about $0.47 a month and $6 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a clothes iron use?
Most clothes irons use 800 to 1,800 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a clothes iron use?
About 0.09 kWh a day and 31 kWh a year at typical use (30 minutes a day, 2 days a week).
Does a clothes iron use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 31 kWh a year it's a small share (0.3%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a clothes iron or a garment steamer?
At typical use, a clothes iron costs about $6 a year versus $10 for a garment steamer. So the clothes iron is cheaper by about $4 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a clothes iron?
- Iron low-temperature fabrics first while the iron warms, then high-heat cottons.
- Batch ironing into one session a week instead of daily heat-ups.
- Hang clothes promptly from the dryer to avoid wrinkles needing ironing.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.