Clothes-dryer electricity cost calculator
Estimate tumble-dryer cost by cycle, month, and year using input power, cycle duration, weekly loads, and local electricity price.
Worked calculation
A complete clothes dryer example
2.500 kW is multiplied by scheduled time and the 75% active-runtime assumption. The inputs are examples, not claims about every device. Replace each one with the label, meter reading, schedule, and tariff that apply to you.
Drying cost = average active kW × cycle duration × cycles × tariff2500 W · 1.2 hours/day · 4 days/week · 75% active
- Monthly energy
- 39.0 kWh
- Monthly cost
- US$7.02
- Annual cost
- US$84.24
Transparent method
The calculation
Drying cost = average active kW × cycle duration × cycles × tariffResistance and heat-pump dryers can have very different power profiles. Use the programme's kWh-per-cycle figure when available for the strongest estimate.
Read the full methodology →Sensitivity check
Run three scenarios.
Line-dry assistModel fewer or shorter machine cycles.
Resistance dryerUse the label power with a realistic heater duty cycle.
Heat-pump dryerUse measured or programme energy rather than copying resistance-dryer power.
Use the result well
What can change the answer?
- Load moisture and spin speed change drying time.
- Sensor programmes may stop earlier than timed cycles.
- Do not assume equal rated capacity means equal energy use.
Calculation standards
Visible inputs. Reproducible results.
WhoPowerCost Lab's research desk maintains the formulas, market notes, and worked examples.
HowEnergy, tariff, and behavioural assumptions stay separate so readers can replace one input without hiding the others.
WhyThe page exists to answer an operating-cost decision. Advertising never changes a formula, default, or recommendation.