SolarOwnersHub.com

How much does it cost to run a clothes dryer?

Typical wattage
1,800–5,000 W
Cost per hour
$0.33–$0.91
at 18.16¢/kWh (US avg)
Energy per hour
1.80–5.00 kWh

A clothes dryer typically draws 1,800–5,000 W. At the US average residential rate of 18.16¢ per kWh (12-month average to August 2026), that is about $0.33–$0.91 for every hour it runs at full power.

Electric dryers vary widely by model and heat setting.

Cost per day and per month

Use per daykWh per dayCost per dayCost per month
1 hour1.80–5.00$0.33–$0.91$9.94–$27.62
2 hours3.60–10.00$0.65–$1.82$19.89–$55.24
4 hours7.20–20.00$1.31–$3.63$39.77–$110.49
8 hours14.40–40.00$2.62–$7.26$79.55–$220.97

Scenarios show full-power hours. Appliances with thermostats or cycling compressors draw full power for only part of the time they are switched on.

Cost per hour by state

StateRate (12-mo)Cost per hour
Alabama16.44¢$0.30–$0.82
Alaska26.94¢$0.48–$1.35
Arizona15.39¢$0.28–$0.77
Arkansas13.57¢$0.24–$0.68
California32.34¢$0.58–$1.62
Colorado17.17¢$0.31–$0.86
Connecticut27.42¢$0.49–$1.37
Delaware17.98¢$0.32–$0.90
District of Columbia24.48¢$0.44–$1.22
Florida15.41¢$0.28–$0.77
Georgia15.17¢$0.27–$0.76
Hawaii44.27¢$0.80–$2.21
Idaho12.77¢$0.23–$0.64
Illinois18.91¢$0.34–$0.95
Indiana16.90¢$0.30–$0.85
Iowa14.20¢$0.26–$0.71
Kansas15.13¢$0.27–$0.76
Kentucky13.94¢$0.25–$0.70
Louisiana13.02¢$0.23–$0.65
Maine29.60¢$0.53–$1.48
Maryland21.18¢$0.38–$1.06
Massachusetts30.39¢$0.55–$1.52
Michigan21.28¢$0.38–$1.06
Minnesota16.28¢$0.29–$0.81
Mississippi14.85¢$0.27–$0.74
Missouri13.97¢$0.25–$0.70
Montana13.94¢$0.25–$0.70
Nebraska12.74¢$0.23–$0.64
Nevada13.45¢$0.24–$0.67
New Hampshire26.95¢$0.49–$1.35
New Jersey23.74¢$0.43–$1.19
New Mexico16.51¢$0.30–$0.83
New York28.60¢$0.51–$1.43
North Carolina14.79¢$0.27–$0.74
North Dakota12.35¢$0.22–$0.62
Ohio18.41¢$0.33–$0.92
Oklahoma13.81¢$0.25–$0.69
Oregon15.53¢$0.28–$0.78
Pennsylvania20.86¢$0.38–$1.04
Rhode Island29.44¢$0.53–$1.47
South Carolina15.77¢$0.28–$0.79
South Dakota14.28¢$0.26–$0.71
Tennessee13.61¢$0.24–$0.68
Texas15.98¢$0.29–$0.80
Utah13.26¢$0.24–$0.66
Vermont23.90¢$0.43–$1.20
Virginia16.64¢$0.30–$0.83
Washington14.20¢$0.26–$0.71
West Virginia15.53¢$0.28–$0.78
Wisconsin18.79¢$0.34–$0.94
Wyoming14.01¢$0.25–$0.70

Calculate with your own numbers

Frequently asked questions

How many watts does a clothes dryer use?

A typical clothes dryer uses 1,800–5,000 W, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension. Check the label on your model.

How much does it cost to run a clothes dryer per hour?

About $0.33–$0.91 per hour at full power, at the US average rate of 18.16¢ per kWh.

How much does it cost to run a clothes dryer for a month?

Running it 1 hour a day at full power costs about $9.94–$27.62 a month at the US average rate. Your cost depends on your hours and your state's rate.

How many kWh does a clothes dryer use?

About 1.80–5.00 kWh per hour at full power (watts ÷ 1,000).

How can I find my clothes dryer's exact wattage?

Check the rating label or manual, or measure it with a plug-in electricity usage meter, which shows real watts and kWh.

Rates: EIA, 12-month residential average. Cost = watts × hours ÷ 1,000 × rate (US Department of Energy method).

Sources

Save on electricity

Other appliances