Laundry
How to Calculate Dryer Electricity Cost per Load
Calculate electric dryer cost from complete-load kWh. Understand annual and per-100-cycle labels, avoid maximum-watts assumptions, and compare similar loads.
Multiply complete-load electricity in kWh by your rate. Check the label's unit before converting. Drying time alone does not establish energy use or a typical cost.
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An electric dryer's cost per load depends on the model, the laundry, moisture after washing, and the chosen program. Use complete-load energy and your electricity rate to calculate the cost for your routine.
Find energy for a complete load, then multiply it by your tariff. Do not assume that the dryer's maximum rated power stays constant throughout its displayed runtime.
Choose complete-load energy
Use reliable model-specific program data or a safe measurement method suitable for the installation. Many dryer connections are outside the limits of ordinary consumer plug-in meters. Do not use adapters to force a measurement.
If direct measurement is unsuitable, use an appropriately identified energy label or ask a qualified professional about measurement options. Keep rated test data distinct from your own observed household use.
The ENERGY STAR dryer guide discusses moisture sensors and product efficiency. A sensor can change runtime according to the load, so the same program name need not consume identical energy each time.
Read the label's denominator
An annual label, a per-cycle figure, and a per-100-cycle figure need different arithmetic. Read the exact unit before dividing.
The European Commission's tumble-dryer guidance describes labels introduced from July 2025 that show weighted consumption per 100 cycles. Use these standardized figures to compare models, and record your load size and program when measuring at home.
A hypothetical 150 kWh per 100 cycles means 1.5 kWh per labeled cycle average. An older annual energy figure cannot be converted without its stated cycle and test assumptions.
Calculate the load cost
Suppose a complete hypothetical load uses 2.5 kWh. At an illustrative $0.20/kWh, electricity costs 2.5 × 0.20 = $0.50.
Four such loads each week mean 10 kWh weekly. Over 52 identical weeks, electricity costs $104. Replace the example cycle energy and weekly load count with the figures for your dryer and routine.
The EIA electricity guide explains the power and energy units. If your only data are watts and time, label the resulting constant-power scenario as an estimate.
Make load comparisons fair
Use similar amounts and types of laundry with similar starting moisture. Towels and light shirts can behave differently. A cost per load is misleading if one load has twice the dry clothing mass.
Keep the washer spin setting and drying target comparable. “Ready to iron” and “cupboard dry” may leave different moisture. Check whether extra drying or repeat cycles are needed.
Do not run a dryer unattended to obtain a cheaper tariff. Follow its manual and safety instructions. Clean the lint filter after each load as ENERGY STAR advises.
Record enough to explain the result
- Write down the dryer model and program.
- Record load type, size, and starting wash-spin setting.
- Identify measured or standardized complete-load kWh.
- Price it with the applicable electricity rate.
- Include any second cycle needed for acceptable dryness.
Use the electricity calculator in cycle mode for a frequency estimate. Gas dryers also use fuel that this electricity-only calculation does not cover.