How much does it cost to run a heated drying rack?
A heated drying rack costs about 4.1¢ per hour, 7.1¢ a day, $2.16 a month and $26 a year at typical use (4 hours a day, 3 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. 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.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.10 | 1.8¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| 2 hours | 0.20 | 3.5¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| 4 hours | 0.39 | 7.1¢ | $2.16 | $26 |
| 8 hours | 0.79 | 14¢ | $4.32 | $52 |
| 12 hours | 1.18 | 21¢ | $6.48 | $78 |
| 24 hours | 2.37 | 43¢ | $12.95 | $155 |
Cost to run a heated drying rack in every state
The same heated drying rack costs $18 a year in North Dakota and $63 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¢ | 2.8¢ | $1.48 | $18 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 2.9¢ | $1.52 | $18 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 3.0¢ | $1.54 | $19 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 3.0¢ | $1.56 | $19 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 3.1¢ | $1.60 | $19 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 3.1¢ | $1.60 | $19 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 3.1¢ | $1.61 | $19 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 3.1¢ | $1.63 | $20 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 3.2¢ | $1.64 | $20 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 3.2¢ | $1.66 | $20 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 3.2¢ | $1.67 | $20 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 3.2¢ | $1.67 | $20 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 3.2¢ | $1.68 | $20 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 3.2¢ | $1.69 | $20 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 3.2¢ | $1.70 | $20 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 3.3¢ | $1.70 | $20 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 3.4¢ | $1.77 | $21 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 3.4¢ | $1.77 | $21 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 3.5¢ | $1.81 | $22 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 3.5¢ | $1.81 | $22 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 3.5¢ | $1.84 | $22 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 3.5¢ | $1.85 | $22 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 3.5¢ | $1.85 | $22 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 3.6¢ | $1.86 | $22 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 3.6¢ | $1.86 | $22 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 3.6¢ | $1.88 | $23 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 3.7¢ | $1.92 | $23 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 3.7¢ | $1.95 | $23 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 3.8¢ | $1.97 | $24 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 3.8¢ | $1.98 | $24 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 3.8¢ | $1.99 | $24 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 3.9¢ | $2.03 | $24 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 4.1¢ | $2.13 | $26 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 4.2¢ | $2.19 | $26 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 4.3¢ | $2.25 | $27 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 4.3¢ | $2.26 | $27 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 4.8¢ | $2.48 | $30 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 4.8¢ | $2.52 | $30 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 4.8¢ | $2.53 | $30 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 5.5¢ | $2.85 | $34 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 5.5¢ | $2.86 | $34 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 5.6¢ | $2.90 | $35 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 6.1¢ | $3.20 | $38 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 6.2¢ | $3.22 | $39 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 6.4¢ | $3.36 | $40 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 6.5¢ | $3.41 | $41 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 6.7¢ | $3.51 | $42 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 6.7¢ | $3.52 | $42 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 7.0¢ | $3.65 | $44 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 7.6¢ | $3.96 | $48 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 10¢ | $5.22 | $63 |
How to cut the cost
- Use a cover over the rack to trap warm air; it can halve drying time.
- Spin clothes at max speed first.
- Space items so air can circulate; don't overlap.
- Place it in a warm room or near a dehumidifier.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Traps heat so clothes dry faster on the same watts.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heated drying rack | 230 | 4 hours a day, 3 days a week | $2.16 | $26 |
| Electric clothes dryer | 5,000 | 6 loads a week | $12.33 | $148 |
| Heated towel rack | 100 | 6 hours a day | $2.63 | $32 |
| Dehumidifier | 500 | 24 hours a day for 6 months a year | $26.28 | $158 |
| Portable washing machine | 300 | 5 loads a week | $0.59 | $7 |
| Front-load washer | 300 | 6 loads a week | $2.37 | $28 |
| Washing machine | 500 | 6 loads a week | $4.82 | $58 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a heated drying rack per hour?
A heated drying rack drawing 230 watts uses 0.23 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 4.1¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 2.8¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 10¢.
How much does it cost to run a heated drying rack per month?
At typical use (4 hours a day, 3 days a week), a heated drying rack costs about $2.16 a month and $26 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 heated drying rack use?
Most heated drying racks use 100 to 300 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a heated drying rack use?
About 0.39 kWh a day and 144 kWh a year at typical use (4 hours a day, 3 days a week).
Does a heated drying rack use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 144 kWh a year it's a small share (1.4%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a heated drying rack or an electric clothes dryer?
At typical use, a heated drying rack costs about $26 a year versus $148 for an electric clothes dryer. So the heated drying rack is cheaper by about $122 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a heated drying rack?
- Use a cover over the rack to trap warm air; it can halve drying time.
- Spin clothes at max speed first.
- Space items so air can circulate; don't overlap.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.