How much does it cost to run a garment steamer?
A garment steamer costs about 24¢ per hour, 2.6¢ a day, $0.79 a month and $10 a year at typical use (15 minutes a day, 3 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Steamers boil water continuously at 800-1,800 W, so they draw near full power the whole time they're on.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handheld | 1,100 | 18¢ | 1.9¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| Upright | 1,500 | 24¢ | 2.6¢ | $0.79 | $10 |
At 15 minutes a day, 3 days a week and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.58 | 10¢ | $3.17 | $38 |
| 2 hours | 1.16 | 21¢ | $6.34 | $76 |
| 4 hours | 2.31 | 42¢ | $12.67 | $152 |
| 8 hours | 4.63 | 83¢ | $25.34 | $304 |
| 12 hours | 6.94 | $1.25 | $38.02 | $456 |
| 24 hours | 13.89 | $2.50 | $76.03 | $912 |
Cost to run a garment steamer in every state
The same garment steamer costs $7 a year in North Dakota and $23 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¢ | 17¢ | $0.54 | $7 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 17¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 17¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 18¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 18¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 18¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 18¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 18¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 18¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 19¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 19¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 19¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 19¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 19¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 19¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 19¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 20¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 20¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 20¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 20¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 21¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 21¢ | $0.68 | $8 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 21¢ | $0.68 | $8 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 21¢ | $0.68 | $8 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 21¢ | $0.68 | $8 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 21¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 22¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 22¢ | $0.71 | $9 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 22¢ | $0.72 | $9 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 22¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 22¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 23¢ | $0.75 | $9 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 24¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 25¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 25¢ | $0.83 | $10 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 25¢ | $0.83 | $10 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 28¢ | $0.91 | $11 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 28¢ | $0.93 | $11 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 28¢ | $0.93 | $11 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 32¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 32¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 33¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 36¢ | $1.17 | $14 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 36¢ | $1.18 | $14 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 38¢ | $1.23 | $15 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 38¢ | $1.25 | $15 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 40¢ | $1.29 | $15 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 40¢ | $1.29 | $15 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 41¢ | $1.34 | $16 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 45¢ | $1.45 | $17 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 59¢ | $1.92 | $23 |
How to cut the cost
- Fill with only as much water as you need for the session.
- Start with warm tap water to shorten heat-up.
- Steam several garments in one session.
- Unplug as soon as you finish; some units keep boiling.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Removes light wrinkles with no electricity, especially combined with hanging clothes in a steamy bathroom.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garment steamer | 1,500 | 15 minutes a day, 3 days a week | $0.79 | $10 |
| Clothes iron | 1,200 | 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.47 | $6 |
| 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 garment steamer per hour?
A garment steamer drawing 1,500 watts uses 1.35 kWh per hour while running (90% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 24¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 17¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 59¢.
How much does it cost to run a garment steamer per month?
At typical use (15 minutes a day, 3 days a week), a garment steamer costs about $0.79 a month and $10 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 garment steamer use?
Most garment steamers use 800 to 1,800 watts, depending on the setting (handheld 1,100 W, upright 1,500 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a garment steamer use?
About 0.14 kWh a day and 53 kWh a year at typical use (15 minutes a day, 3 days a week).
Does a garment steamer use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 53 kWh a year it's a small share (0.5%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a garment steamer or a clothes iron?
At typical use, a garment steamer costs about $10 a year versus $6 for a clothes iron. 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 garment steamer?
- Fill with only as much water as you need for the session.
- Start with warm tap water to shorten heat-up.
- Steam several garments in one session.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.