How much does it cost to run a compact dryer?
A compact dryer costs about 26¢ a day, $7.95 a month and $95 a year at typical use (5 loads a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Compact and ventless condenser dryers dry smaller loads with 1,300-3,600 W elements over longer cycles, using about 1.5-2.5 kWh per load.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portable 120 V | 1,300 | 19¢ | $5.78 | $69 |
| Condenser 120 V | 1,800 | 26¢ | $7.95 | $95 |
| Compact 240 V | 3,600 | 52¢ | $15.78 | $189 |
At 5 loads a week and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost to run a compact dryer in every state
The same compact dryer costs $65 a year in North Dakota and $231 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $5.45 | $65 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $5.59 | $67 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $5.69 | $68 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $5.74 | $69 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $5.89 | $71 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $5.91 | $71 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $5.94 | $71 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $6.00 | $72 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $6.06 | $73 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $6.12 | $73 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $6.15 | $74 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $6.17 | $74 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $6.19 | $74 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $6.24 | $75 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $6.25 | $75 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $6.28 | $75 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $6.53 | $78 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $6.53 | $78 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $6.67 | $80 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $6.68 | $80 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $6.77 | $81 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $6.80 | $82 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $6.81 | $82 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $6.84 | $82 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $6.85 | $82 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $6.91 | $83 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $7.06 | $85 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $7.17 | $86 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $7.27 | $87 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $7.29 | $87 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $7.33 | $88 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $7.49 | $90 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $7.87 | $94 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $8.07 | $97 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $8.29 | $99 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $8.31 | $100 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $9.15 | $110 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $9.30 | $112 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $9.31 | $112 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $10.51 | $126 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $10.52 | $126 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $10.70 | $128 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $11.79 | $141 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $11.87 | $142 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $12.38 | $149 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $12.55 | $151 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $12.94 | $155 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $12.96 | $156 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $13.45 | $161 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $14.59 | $175 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $19.24 | $231 |
How to cut the cost
- Fill to capacity but don't overload; compact drums need room to tumble.
- Clean the lint filter every load and the condenser every month.
- Spin clothes at max speed before drying; 120 V dryers are slow.
- Use sensor dry rather than a fixed timer.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Ventless like a condenser dryer but uses about half the energy.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact dryer | 1,800 | 5 loads a week | $7.95 | $95 |
| Electric clothes dryer | 5,000 | 6 loads a week | $12.33 | $148 |
| Heat pump dryer | 800 | 6 loads a week | $5.76 | $69 |
| Portable washing machine | 300 | 5 loads a week | $0.59 | $7 |
| Washer dryer combo | 1,800 | 5 loads a week | $12.00 | $144 |
| Steam closet | 1,600 | 4 cycles a week | $2.63 | $32 |
| Garment steamer | 1,500 | 15 minutes a day, 3 days a week | $0.79 | $10 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a compact dryer per hour?
A compact dryer is usually measured per load rather than per hour. Each load uses about 2 kWh, or 36¢ at 17.99¢/kWh.
How much does it cost to run a compact dryer per month?
At typical use (5 loads a week), a compact dryer costs about $7.95 a month and $95 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 compact dryer use?
Most compact dryers use 800 to 4,000 watts, depending on the setting (portable 120 v 1,300 W, condenser 120 v 1,800 W, compact 240 v 3,600 W). 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 a compact dryer use?
About 1.45 kWh a day and 531 kWh a year at typical use (5 loads a week).
Does a compact dryer use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 531 kWh a year is about 5% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a compact dryer or an electric clothes dryer?
At typical use, a compact dryer costs about $95 a year versus $148 for an electric clothes dryer. So the compact dryer is cheaper by about $53 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a compact dryer?
- Fill to capacity but don't overload; compact drums need room to tumble.
- Clean the lint filter every load and the condenser every month.
- Spin clothes at max speed before drying; 120 V dryers are slow.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.