🌀How much does it cost to run a dryer?
An electric dryer uses about 2.0–4.0 kWh a load. At the US-average 17¢/kWh that’s $0.34–$0.68 a load — about $71–$141 a year at 4 loads a week.
These are estimates, not a meter reading. The wattage and energy figures are typical US ranges and the 17¢/kWh is the national-average rate — the math is exact once you plug in your own wattage and rate. Your real cost depends on the specific unit, your settings and your utility.
Energy and cost, broken down
| Timeframe | Energy (kWh) | Cost @ 17¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Per load | 2.0–4.0 | $0.34–$0.68 |
| Per week (4 loads) | 8.0–16.0 | $1.36–$2.72 |
| Per year | 416–832 | $71–$141 |
At the US-average 17¢/kWh. On a cheap rate (~11¢) these drop about a third; in California, New England or Hawaii (~33¢+) they roughly double. Ranges reflect the typical span of load sizes.
Why it costs what it does
A clothes dryer is one of the bigger loads in the house while it runs — an electric dryer's heating element pulls 1,800–5,000 watts — but it only runs for a cycle, so the honest unit is cost per load, not per hour. A typical load uses about 2–4 kWh depending on the load size and how long it tumbles. Gas dryers use a little electricity to turn the drum plus gas for heat, so they cost roughly half as much per load to run (about 15–33¢) but cost more upfront and need a gas hookup.
How to run it for less
- Dry full (not overstuffed) loads and dry similar fabrics together, so a single cycle does more and light items aren't still tumbling with heavy ones.
- Clean the lint filter every load and check the vent hose seasonally — a clogged vent makes the dryer run far longer to finish.
- Use the moisture-sensor/auto-dry setting instead of a fixed timer so the dryer stops when clothes are dry rather than over-drying.
- Spin the washer on high first (less water left to evaporate), and hang-dry when you can — line-drying a load is the only truly free option.
Keep going
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to run an electric dryer per load?▾
About $0.34 to $0.68 a load at the US-average 17¢/kWh, based on 2–4 kWh per cycle. Over a year at four loads a week that's roughly $70–$140. Bigger loads and longer, hotter cycles sit at the top; a moisture sensor that stops at "dry" keeps you near the bottom.
Is a gas or electric dryer cheaper to run?▾
A gas dryer is usually cheaper to run — roughly 15–33¢ a load versus 34–68¢ for electric — because natural gas costs less per unit of heat than electricity. But gas dryers cost more to buy and need a gas line and proper venting. If you already have electric, the running-cost gap (about $30–$70 a year at four loads a week) rarely justifies switching on its own.
How do I work out what a dryer costs to run for my electricity rate?▾
Take the wattage ÷ 1,000 to get kilowatts, multiply by the hours you run it, then by your electricity rate. Find your rate on your bill (total ÷ kWh used) — the US average is about 17¢/kWh, but it ranges from ~11¢ in the cheapest states to 30–42¢ in California, New England and Hawaii. So the same dryer costs roughly 35% less on a cheap rate and nearly double on an expensive one than the figures here.
What is the average price of electricity in the US?▾
About 17¢ per kWh for residential customers as a national average (2026). The cheapest states — parts of the Midwest and Pacific Northwest — sit near 11¢, while California, most of New England and Hawaii run 30¢ to over 40¢. Your exact rate is on your utility bill; divide the dollar total by the kWh used, or read the per-kWh charge directly.