How much does it cost to run a heated towel rack?
A heated towel rack costs about 1.4¢ per hour, 8.6¢ a day, $2.63 a month and $32 a year at typical use (6 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Most wall-mounted towel warmers draw 40-150 W. Many are wired to run 24/7, which costs about 3-4 times as much as running them on a timer.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small rack | 60 | 0.9¢ | 5.2¢ | $1.58 | $19 |
| Wall rack | 100 | 1.4¢ | 8.6¢ | $2.63 | $32 |
| Towel warmer bucket | 400 | 5.8¢ | 35¢ | $10.51 | $126 |
At 6 hours a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.08 | 1.4¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| 2 hours | 0.16 | 2.9¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| 4 hours | 0.32 | 5.8¢ | $1.75 | $21 |
| 8 hours | 0.64 | 12¢ | $3.50 | $42 |
| 12 hours | 0.96 | 17¢ | $5.26 | $63 |
| 24 hours | 1.92 | 35¢ | $10.51 | $126 |
Cost to run a heated towel rack in every state
The same heated towel rack costs $22 a year in North Dakota and $76 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¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.80 | $22 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.85 | $22 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.88 | $23 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.90 | $23 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.95 | $23 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.95 | $23 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.96 | $24 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.98 | $24 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.00 | $24 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.02 | $24 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.03 | $24 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.04 | $24 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.05 | $25 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.06 | $25 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.06 | $25 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.07 | $25 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.16 | $26 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.16 | $26 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.20 | $26 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.21 | $27 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.24 | $27 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.25 | $27 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.25 | $27 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.26 | $27 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.26 | $27 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.29 | $27 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.33 | $28 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.37 | $28 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.40 | $29 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.41 | $29 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.42 | $29 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.4¢ | $2.47 | $30 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 1.4¢ | $2.60 | $31 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 1.5¢ | $2.67 | $32 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 1.5¢ | $2.74 | $33 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 1.5¢ | $2.75 | $33 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 1.7¢ | $3.02 | $36 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 1.7¢ | $3.07 | $37 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 1.7¢ | $3.08 | $37 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.9¢ | $3.47 | $42 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.9¢ | $3.48 | $42 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.9¢ | $3.54 | $42 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 2.1¢ | $3.90 | $47 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 2.1¢ | $3.92 | $47 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 2.2¢ | $4.09 | $49 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 2.3¢ | $4.15 | $50 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 2.3¢ | $4.28 | $51 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 2.3¢ | $4.28 | $51 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 2.4¢ | $4.45 | $53 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 2.6¢ | $4.82 | $58 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 3.5¢ | $6.36 | $76 |
How to cut the cost
- Put it on a timer for 1-2 hours around shower times instead of leaving it on all day; this saves 60-80% of its energy.
- Hang towels spread out rather than bunched so they dry and warm on fewer hours.
- Buy a model with a built-in timer or thermostat; plain on/off models run at full power constantly.
- Turn it off in summer when towels dry on their own.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Automatic shutoff prevents 24/7 operation.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heated towel rack | 100 | 6 hours a day | $2.63 | $32 |
| Heat lamp | 250 | 30 minutes a day | $0.68 | $8 |
| Electric radiant floor heating | 600 | 6 hours a day for 7 months a year | $9.86 | $69 |
| Bathroom exhaust fan | 15 | 1 hour a day | $0.08 | $1 |
| Heated drying rack | 230 | 4 hours a day, 3 days a week | $2.16 | $26 |
| Electric blanket | 100 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.23 | $11 |
| Heated throw | 100 | 3 hours a day for 5 months a year | $1.04 | $5 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a heated towel rack per hour?
A heated towel rack drawing 100 watts uses 0.08 kWh per hour while running (80% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 1.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 1.0¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 3.5¢.
How much does it cost to run a heated towel rack per month?
At typical use (6 hours a day), a heated towel rack costs about $2.63 a month and $32 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 towel rack use?
Most heated towel racks use 40 to 400 watts, depending on the setting (small rack 60 W, wall rack 100 W, towel warmer bucket 400 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a heated towel rack use?
About 0.48 kWh a day and 175 kWh a year at typical use (6 hours a day).
Does a heated towel rack use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 175 kWh a year it's a small share (1.7%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a heated towel rack or a heat lamp?
At typical use, a heated towel rack costs about $32 a year versus $8 for a heat lamp. So the heat lamp is cheaper by about $23 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a heated towel rack?
- Put it on a timer for 1-2 hours around shower times instead of leaving it on all day; this saves 60-80% of its energy.
- Hang towels spread out rather than bunched so they dry and warm on fewer hours.
- Buy a model with a built-in timer or thermostat; plain on/off models run at full power constantly.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.