How this calculator works
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Home Energy Score uses about 3.8 kWh of drying energy per load for an electric dryer and 0.22 therms for a gas dryer. Gas dryers also use a little electricity for the drum motor and fan — the calculator adds about 0.3 kWh. Multiply by your rates and the number of loads.
Electric: cost per load = kWh per load × price per kWh
Gas: cost per load = therms × gas price + ~0.3 kWh × price per kWh
Yearly = cost per load × loads per week × 52
Assumptions and tips
- Average loads; heavy towels or a full drum take longer, and heat-pump dryers use roughly half the electricity of standard electric dryers.
Worked example
Using the default values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Dryer type | Electric |
| Energy per load | 3.8 kWh |
| Loads per week | 5 |
| Electricity rate | 0.182 $/kWh |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per load | $0.69 |
| Cost per month | $14.98 |
| Cost per year | $180 |
| Electricity per year | 988 kWh |
Step by step:
- Per load = 3.8 kWh × $0.182 = $0.69
- Per year = $0.69 × 5 loads × 52 = $180
Electric dryer cost per load by electricity price
3.8 kWh per load, 5 loads a week — calculated with this tool.
| Electricity price | Cost per load | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| 12¢/kWh | $0.46 | $119 |
| 15¢/kWh | $0.57 | $148 |
| 18.2¢/kWh | $0.69 | $180 |
| 25¢/kWh | $0.95 | $247 |
| 32¢/kWh | $1.22 | $316 |
| 40¢/kWh | $1.52 | $395 |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Overloading the drum — clothes need room to tumble or they take much longer to dry.
- Ignoring a lint-clogged vent, which wastes energy and is a fire risk.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric dryer per load?
About 69 cents at 3.8 kWh and the 2026 U.S. average of 18.2¢/kWh.
Is a gas dryer cheaper to run?
Usually: 0.22 therms at $1.50 plus a little electricity is about 38 cents a load.
How much does running the dryer cost per year?
Five electric loads a week is about 990 kWh a year — roughly $180 at 18.2¢/kWh.
Sources
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Home Energy Score: clothes dryer drying energy per load
- U.S. EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook: electricity prices
Built and reviewed by Anirban Kundu, Creator & Editor · M.Sc Physics, 20 years teaching science