Electricity use guide
How much does a clothes dryer (electric) cost to run?
Using a planning draw of 3,000 watts for 0.85 hours a day, this example uses 2.55 kWh daily. At the June 2026 monthly average U.S. residential rate of $0.1834 per kWh, that is about $0.47 per day or $170.70 per year.
- Daily electricity
- 2.55 kWh
- Monthly cost
- $14.22
- Annual electricity
- 930.7 kWh
- Annual cost
- $170.70
Calculation for this example
3,000 W ÷ 1,000 × 0.85 hr/day × 365 days × $0.1834/kWh = $170.70/yearElectricity use in kilowatt-hours equals watts divided by 1,000, multiplied by runtime. Cost equals that energy use multiplied by the price per kWh.
What changes the actual cost?
- Cycle length, heat setting, load size, and the number of cycles usually matter more than the amount of time the appliance stays plugged in.
- For a cycle-based estimate, multiply the appliance wattage by active hours per cycle and then by the number of cycles used.
The example is a labeled planning estimate, not a specification for every model. Its national average rate includes fixed-charge and tax revenue; no separate fees are added. It is not the exact additional charge for using this appliance on your tariff.
Hourly, daily, and annual running costs
These fixed examples use residential electricity prices from the June 2026 monthly average, not your selected calculator rate. All longer periods assume the example schedule every day; seasonal equipment will differ. Values below one cent display as <$0.01.
| Period | Energy kWh | Cost $0.1834/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| One hour at stated power | 3.000 | $0.55 |
| Day at example schedule | 2.550 | $0.47 |
| Week (7 days) | 17.850 | $3.27 |
| Average month (365 ÷ 12 days) | 77.562 | $14.22 |
| Year (365 days) | 930.750 | $170.70 |
Compare state-average rates Virginia, Washington, California, and Hawaii
Scroll sideways to compare all rates. With the table focused, use Left and Right arrow keys.
| Period | Energy kWh | U.S. average $0.1834/kWh | Virginia $0.1722/kWh | Washington $0.1491/kWh | California $0.3474/kWh | Hawaii $0.5272/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One hour at stated power | 3.000 | $0.55 | $0.52 | $0.45 | $1.04 | $1.58 |
| Day at example schedule | 2.550 | $0.47 | $0.44 | $0.38 | $0.89 | $1.34 |
| Week (7 days) | 17.850 | $3.27 | $3.07 | $2.66 | $6.20 | $9.41 |
| Average month (365 ÷ 12 days) | 77.562 | $14.22 | $13.36 | $11.56 | $26.95 | $40.89 |
| Year (365 days) | 930.750 | $170.70 | $160.28 | $138.77 | $323.34 | $490.69 |
Source: U.S. EIA residential electricity prices. These averages include fixed-charge and tax revenue, so they are not your utility’s marginal price for an additional kWh.
Count loads and distinguish dryer technologies
ENERGY STAR describes moisture sensors that end drying when clothes are dry and heat-pump dryers that reuse heated air. A conventional resistance-heated dryer example should not be used as a measured specification for a heat-pump model.
ENERGY STAR: clothes dryers supports the operating guidance; the wattages and schedules here are illustrative inputs, not measurements supplied by that source.
A worked example you can adapt
As an illustrative cycle calculation, 3 kW for 45 active minutes uses 2.25 kWh. Five such loads per week use 11.25 kWh and cost $2.25 at $0.20/kWh. This assumes constant input during those minutes; actual heat cycling changes the total. Measured kWh per load can replace this approximation.
Ways to make your estimate more useful
- Record loads per week and energy per load if available.
- Use an appropriate automatic moisture-sensing cycle rather than assuming a fixed long timer.
- Compare similar load sizes and dryness settings before assessing a replacement.
A common question
Can I use this estimate for a gas dryer?
Not for its total running cost. A gas dryer uses fuel for heat and electricity for other components. Our separate gas-dryer guide covers the electric load only; gas consumption must be budgeted separately.
Get a result for your appliance
Enter the wattage from your appliance label, your typical schedule, and the electricity rate from your bill. The calculator shows daily and annual energy, cost, source details, and the arithmetic used.
Calculate your clothes dryer (electric) cost