How Much Does It Cost to Run a Clothes Dryer?
A typical Clothes Dryer uses 5000W and runs about 1 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $25.08/month.
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What Affects the Cost of Running a Clothes Dryer
The Dryer Is One of the Top 5 Electricity Consumers in Most Homes
At 5,000W, an electric dryer draws more power than almost any other household appliance except an electric furnace or water heater. Running one load for 45-60 minutes uses 3.75-5 kWh. At 5 loads per week, that is 75-100 kWh per month, costing $12-17 at the national average rate. In high-rate states, monthly dryer costs can exceed $30-40.
Lint Filter and Moisture Sensors Are Your Best Savings Tools
A clogged lint filter can increase drying time by 25-30%, directly increasing electricity cost. Cleaning the filter before every load is the simplest way to keep costs down. Moisture sensors (available on most modern dryers) automatically stop the cycle when clothes are dry, rather than running for a fixed time. Timed dry cycles often run 10-15 minutes longer than necessary, wasting $1-3/month.
Line Drying Is Free
A clothesline or drying rack uses zero electricity. Air-drying even half your laundry cuts dryer costs by 50%. In dry climates, outdoor line drying takes 2-4 hours. Indoor drying racks work year-round. For a family spending $15/month on dryer electricity, switching to line-dry for half the loads saves $90/year.
Clothes Dryer vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Clothes Dryer compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes Dryer (this page) | $25.08 | At national average rate, 1hrs/day |
| Gas dryer | ~$8-12 | Uses natural gas for heat (cheaper per BTU than electricity). Motor still uses electricity. |
| Heat pump dryer | ~$6-10 | Uses 50% less electricity than conventional. Higher upfront cost; 3-5 year payback. |
| Line drying | $0 | Free. Takes 2-4 hours outdoors. Indoor racks work year-round. |
| Laundromat dryer | ~$10-20 | $1-2 per load. Gas-heated, often faster than home dryers. |
Clothes Dryer Cost by State
What a Clothes Dryer costs to run at 5000W for 1 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $22.23 | $266.76 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $38.01 | $456.12 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $20.72 | $248.58 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $18.95 | $227.34 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $47.12 | $565.38 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $22.86 | $274.32 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $44.02 | $528.3 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $22.86 | $274.32 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $23.81 | $285.66 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $23.45 | $281.34 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $21.18 | $254.16 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $64.82 | $777.78 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $16.31 | $195.66 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $24.56 | $294.66 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $22.68 | $272.16 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $21.35 | $256.14 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $22.47 | $269.64 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $19.31 | $231.66 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $17.97 | $215.64 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $34.31 | $411.66 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $24.18 | $290.16 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $43.14 | $517.68 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $28.14 | $337.68 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $23.01 | $276.12 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $20.64 | $247.68 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $19.68 | $236.16 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $18.68 | $224.1 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $17.97 | $215.64 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $22.55 | $270.54 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $38.01 | $456.12 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $28.14 | $337.68 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $22.31 | $267.66 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $34.31 | $411.66 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $20.97 | $251.64 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $17.81 | $213.66 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $23.01 | $276.12 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $17.97 | $215.64 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $19.68 | $236.16 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $25.3 | $303.66 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $40.68 | $488.16 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $22.47 | $269.64 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $20.64 | $247.68 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $19.31 | $231.66 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $22.47 | $269.64 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $16.31 | $195.66 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $32.01 | $384.12 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $23.01 | $276.12 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $16.14 | $193.68 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $19.68 | $236.16 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $25.47 | $305.64 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $16.85 | $202.14 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Clothes Dryer
- Clean the lint filter before every load; a clogged filter extends drying time
- Use the moisture sensor setting instead of a timed dry
- Dry similar fabrics together; mixing heavy and light items wastes energy
- Line-dry when possible; it is free and extends the life of your clothes
Frequently Asked Questions
A single dryer load costs approximately $0.63-$0.84 in electricity at the national average rate (5,000W for 45-60 minutes). At 5 loads per week, the monthly cost is $12-17. In California at 31 cents/kWh, each load costs $1.17-$1.55, and monthly costs reach $24-30.
In most markets, a gas dryer is 30-50% cheaper to operate because natural gas costs less per BTU than electricity. An electric dryer load costs $0.63-$0.84 while an equivalent gas dryer load costs $0.35-$0.55 in gas plus a small amount of electricity for the motor. Over 5 years, the gas dryer saves $200-500 in operating costs, which generally exceeds the $50-100 upfront price premium.
Clean the lint filter before every load (saves 10-15%). Use the moisture sensor setting instead of timed dry (saves 10-15%). Dry similar fabrics together so lightweight items do not over-dry while heavy items finish. Spin clothes on the highest washer spin setting to extract more water before drying (reduces dryer time 15-25%). And line-dry when possible; even doing this for half your loads cuts dryer costs by 50%.
Related Appliances
Clothes Washer
500W typical
Vacuum Cleaner
1400W typical
Robot Vacuum
70W typical
Steam Iron
1200W typical
Sewing Machine
100W typical
Electricity cost estimates are based on typical wattage and average residential rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Your actual costs may vary based on your appliance's specific wattage, usage patterns, and your utility's rate structure. See our full disclaimer.