Laundry cost guide
How much does an electric clothes dryer cost to run?
Dryer power changes during a cycle, but rated watts provide a useful upper-range estimate. Treat daily hours as total heated cycle time across all loads that day.
Appliance energy cost
Use the power label on your appliance and the electricity rate shown on your bill.
Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours per day × days × electricity rate. Cycling appliances and variable-speed equipment can use less than their full rated power.
What changes the answer?
Cycle length matters as much as heater wattage
A long low-heat cycle can use a similar amount of energy to a shorter high-heat cycle. Enter the total time the dryer is operating, then refine the estimate with a meter or utility appliance data when available.
Moisture sensing can stop unnecessary drying
A working moisture sensor can end the cycle when the load is dry. Timed cycles may continue after clothes are ready, adding cost and fabric wear.
Washer performance affects dryer cost
A faster final spin leaves less water in the load. Clean the lint screen, keep the vent path clear and avoid mixing very heavy and very light fabrics when you want predictable cycle time.
Use this result as a planning range
A blocked or damaged dryer vent is a fire and carbon-monoxide concern for fuel-burning dryers; follow manufacturer maintenance instructions and have unsafe venting corrected.
Review the formulas and public sources in our methodology.
Official references
- Appliances and ElectronicsU.S. Department of Energy
- Electric Meters and kilowatt-hoursU.S. Department of Energy
- How to use the EnergyGuide labelFederal Trade Commission