Clothes dryers: Annual Operating Cost
At a glance (estimate)
- Median operating cost
- $113/yr
- Median energy use
- 608 kWh/yr
- Cost range
- $23–$128
- Models compared
- 651
This is an estimate. Operating cost is an estimate, computed from each model's measured annual energy use at the EIA U.S. national-average residential electricity rate (18.56 ¢/kWh, March 2026). Your actual cost depends on your local utility rate and how you use the appliance. How we compute this.
Across the 651 ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryers evaluated, the median appliance consumes approximately 608 kWh per year and costs an estimated $113 annually to operate. Operating costs across the field range from roughly $23 to $128 per year. These figures are calculated using each model's measured annual energy consumption and the U.S. national-average residential electricity rate, providing a standardized basis for comparison across models.
Operating cost represents only one factor in appliance selection. Purchase price, capacity, and available features all influence the overall value proposition. However, focusing on energy efficiency alone, a more efficient model in the dryer category can deliver meaningful savings over the course of its operational life. It should be noted that this comparison addresses specifications and costs only and does not constitute buying or installation guidance. Actual operating costs will vary depending on the user's local utility rates and patterns of appliance use.
| Spec | Typical |
|---|---|
| Typical capacity | 3.8–9.2 cu ft (median 7.4) |
| Width range | 23.4–36.9 in |
| Brands in dataset | 41 |
| Efficiency metric | cef |
How we estimate operating cost
Operating cost is an estimate, computed from each model's measured annual energy use at the EIA U.S. national-average residential electricity rate (18.56 ¢/kWh, March 2026). Your actual cost depends on your local utility rate and how you use the appliance.
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