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How much energy does my dryer use?
Direct Energy, November 30, 2023
4 minute read
How much energy does my dryer use?
Direct Energy, November 30, 2023
4 minute read
It's hard to imagine daily life without some of the major appliances we tend to take for granted, like HVAC systems and refrigerators. But when it comes to electric clothes dryers, the alternative isn't so unfathomable. We've all seen laundry strung up on a clothesline before, and maybe you've even done it yourself – even if it was just a single garment slung over a shower curtain rod.
Clothes dryers are all about saving time. When you can't wait all day for clothes to dry on the line, you throw them in the dryer and they're ready to fold within an hour. But how much does it cost to run a dryer? Our blog breaks down the energy usage and costs of your average electric dryer, so you can better predict how much it adds to your electricity bill.
Compared to most of the appliances around your home, your electric dryer probably consumes a lot of energy. This is true of most heat-producing appliances like your furnace, water heater and oven.
All dryers use electricity to power a motor that turns the drum, and a fan that blows hot air. Some modern models may also use a tiny bit of electricity for digital displays and control panels. But most of a dryer's energy goes into producing heat – and this is done with either electricity or natural gas.
Electric dryers span a wide range of wattages, from about 2,000 to 6,000 watts. That translates to about 2 to 6 kWh of electricity. Based on the national average rate of 12¢ per kWh, each hour of electric drying will cost somewhere between 24¢ and 72¢, depending on the model.
Gas heat is measured in British thermal units (BTUs) and most gas dryers are rated for a level of BTU output that they never actually use. For example, most GE gas dryers are rated for 22,000 BTU per hour, but because the heat turns on and off during the course of a drying cycle, they may use as little as half that amount during a typical cycle.
With natural gas prices hovering at just over $1 per 100,000 BTU, the cost per load in a gas dryer is usually substantially lower than that of an electric dryer – often about 3 times lower. Keep in mind that gas isn't the only operating cost; the motor and fan still draw some electricity.
If your home is already connected to natural gas with hookups in the laundry room, you'll typically save energy and money in the long run with a gas dryer. This tendency is based in part on the relatively low, stable price of natural gas in most areas, so if you live in an area with unusually high natural gas prices, this might not be true for you.
If your home doesn't currently have a natural gas connection, it probably isn't cost-effective to undergo an expensive natural gas conversion just so you can dry with gas.
If you have an electric dryer and you know how many watts it draws, there's a simple calculation you can use to estimate your cost per load:
Feeling a bit of sticker shock after calculating the cost per load to use your dryer? Unlike most other appliances in your home, it’s not particularly convenient to unplug it when it’s not in use. However, there are still a few things you can do to lower your dryer’s impact on your energy costs.
If you're in the market for a new electric dryer anyway, you can start by shopping for an energy-efficient model. Look for the ENERGY STAR logo and read the black and yellow ENERGY GUIDE labels when shopping online or at retail.
Also, be sure to choose a model with a moisture detector that automatically ends the cycle when clothes are dry. And if you'll also be replacing your washer, take a few minutes to learn about how much energy washing machines use and how to choose an efficient model.
Here are a few additional tips:
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