Checked against official sources on 15 October 2026
How much does a clothes dryer cost to run?
About $9.28 a month
for a typical electric dryer in No match. Pick "Another country" to type your own price. , at 18.31 cents per kWh.
Type your electricity price to see the cost.
- Uses
- 1.67 kWh a day
- Draws while running
- 5,400 W
- Needs at start-up
- about 6,750 W
If you want to cut your electricity bill, the dryer is usually a better place to start than the fridge. An electric dryer draws about 5,400 W while it runs, and a typical standard vented model is estimated at 608 kWh a year. Ventless and compact models use noticeably less, as the table shows.
Most dryers in the UK and Europe plug into a normal socket, so they draw much less than North American models on a 240 V circuit, as the table below shows.
Work out your own clothes dryer
Typical use: 608 kWh a year
You'll find it on the appliance's energy label.
Which type uses the most
Yearly figures are ENERGY STAR's estimated use for electric dryers. Costs below use the price you set above.
| Type of dryer | Typical size | Energy per year | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard, vented363 models | 7.4 cu ft (210 L) | $111 | |
| Standard, ventless52 models | 4.55 cu ft (129 L) | $75 | |
| Compact, ventless, 240 V58 models | 4.0 cu ft (113 L) | $58 | |
| Compact, ventless, 120 V10 models | 4.1 cu ft (116 L) | $24 |
North America compared with the UK and Europe
| Where | Supply | Power while running | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 240 V circuit | about 5,400 W, about 6,750 W at start-up | Honda generator wattage guide |
| UK and Europe | 230 V plug socket | up to about 3,000 W | Limit of a standard UK 13 A plug (13 A × 230 V) |
What it costs in other countries
For a typical electric dryer, at each country's official average electricity price.
| Country | Price per kWh | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 18.31 cents | $9.28 | $111 |
| United Kingdom | 26.32 pence | £13 | £160 |
| Germany | 36.18 cents | €18 | €220 |
| Ireland | 38.71 cents | €20 | €235 |
| France | 24.85 cents | €13 | €151 |
| Spain | 25.09 cents | €13 | €153 |
| Italy | 31.42 cents | €16 | €191 |
| Netherlands | 24.40 cents | €12 | €148 |
Prices from the U.S. EIA, Ofgem and Eurostat; see Sources below. To see another country, pick it at the top of the page; we cover 51.
How to cut the cost of running your clothes dryer
-
Choose a ventless or heat pump dryer next time
In the ENERGY STAR data, the typical standard ventless dryer uses 200 kWh a year less than the typical standard vented model.
Saves about $37 a year
-
Dry on a line when you can
Every load dried in the air costs nothing to run.
-
Clean the lint filter every time
A clogged filter or vent makes every load take longer.
-
Spin clothes faster in the washer
Less water left in the clothes means less drying time.
Savings use the electricity price you set above and figures from this page's sources.
What can power it
To run an electric dryer from a generator or a portable power station, check two numbers. It must supply the running power, about 5,400 W, all the time. It must also handle about 6,750 W for a moment each time it starts.
Honda lists it as needing a 240 V supply, so check that a generator offers a 240 V outlet before relying on it.
Common questions
How many watts does a clothes dryer use?
Honda's generator guide lists an electric clothes dryer at about 5,400 W running and 6,750 W at start-up. It needs a 240 V supply.
How much electricity does a dryer use per year?
A typical standard vented ENERGY STAR electric dryer is estimated at about 608 kWh a year, across 363 models.
How much does it cost to run a clothes dryer per day?
About $0.30 a day in the United States, at the average price of 18.31 cents per kWh, or about £0.44 a day in the UK at 26.32 pence, for a typical electric dryer. That adds up to about $111 or £160 a year.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR Certified Residential Clothes Dryers data set (U.S. EPA), 692 models, fetched 15 October 2026
- Honda Power Equipment, generator wattage estimation guide
- Champion Power Equipment, generator wattage chart
- Eurostat, Electricity prices for household consumers (nrg_pc_204): consumption band 2,500–4,999 kWh, all taxes and levies included, January–June 2026 (updated 13 October 2026)
- Ofgem energy price cap: average Direct Debit electricity unit rate, England, Scotland and Wales, 1 October to 31 December 2026
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electricity Monthly Update: average residential price, July 2026 (released 24 September 2026)
Last checked 15 October 2026. How we get our numbers.