Cost to run

How much does an electric dryer cost to run?

Electric dryer cost is driven by heater wattage, cycle length, and the number of loads. The scenarios below use the same calculation engine as the interactive appliance calculator.

Content reviewed 2026-07-15 · Rates published 2026-09-24 · methodology appliance-energy-1.0.0 · data vintage 2026-07-ytd

Using the 12 loads per month assumptions below, electricity costs about $0.31 per day of use and $3.69 for 12 days of use at the Texas average rate. Adjust the calculator for your equipment and schedule.

Example costs using the Texas state-average rate

These are generated examples for a consistent location. Enter your own ZIP and usage below for a more relevant state-average estimate.

Scenario	Assumption	kWh/month	Cost/day of use	Monthly range	Cost at 365 days/year
One load	One 45-minute drying cycle 3000 W × 0.75 h/day × 0.85 duty × 1 days × 1 unit(s)	1.91	$0.31	$0.20–$0.45	$112.11
12 loads per month	45-minute cycles, twelve times per month 3000 W × 0.75 h/day × 0.85 duty × 12 days × 1 unit(s)	22.95	$0.31	$2.44–$5.45	$112.11
20 loads per month	60-minute cycles, twenty times per month 3000 W × 1 h/day × 0.85 duty × 20 days × 1 unit(s)	51.00	$0.41	$5.43–$12.11	$149.48

Wattage, runtime and duty cycle below are illustrative assumptions, not measurements of a particular model. Annual figures assume use on all 365 days; monthly figures use each scenario's stated number of days.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.B. Data vintage 2026-07-ytd. State-average pricing is not your exact utility tariff.

Calculate your own usage

Your inputs

ZIP code

Used to pick your state’s average electricity rate. We don’t need your street address.

ApplianceHow manyHours used per day (optional)

Leave blank to use a typical default for this appliance.

Rated watts (from the appliance label)Duty cycle (0–1; share of time drawing full power)Days per month

Your estimate — a range, confidence level, and the sources behind it — will appear here.

What changes dryer electricity cost?

The electric heating element is usually the largest load. Cycle duration, moisture level, load size, spin performance from the washer, airflow, and automatic moisture sensing can change how long that element operates.

Estimate cost per load

Use one day per month in the calculator to approximate one cycle, then enter the cycle duration as runtime. For a monthly estimate, use the number of loads as days per month. Enter the dryer's nameplate watts when available.

What this model does not include

The estimate does not model gas dryers, demand charges, utility time-of-use periods, or the separate electricity used by a washing machine. It also does not diagnose vent condition or appliance safety.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate dryer cost per load?

Multiply the dryer's effective kilowatts by cycle hours and your electricity rate. The calculator performs that calculation while also applying a duty-cycle range.

Does a longer cycle always cost more?

Usually, but automatic sensing and heater cycling matter. A longer low-heat period may not draw the same average power as a shorter high-heat period.

Does this calculator work for gas dryers?

No. Gas dryers need both fuel and electric consumption modeled, so this page is limited to electric resistance dryers.

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