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Electric dryers are known for their convenience but can also be significant energy consumers. Learning how to save energy and money starts by understanding how dryer energy usage is measured, how much electricity an electric dryer uses, and how you can calculate the cost of running this appliance.
How Is Dryer Energy Usage Measured?
Dryer energy usage is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), a unit of energy representing one kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power used for one hour. Kilowatt-hours are crucial in determining your electricity usage and how it impacts your electricity bill.
When calculating kilowatt-hour consumption, you’ll need to consider both the running wattage the electrical device (in this case, an electric dryer) draws and the frequency you use the dryer.
The formula to find kilowatt-hours multiplies the appliance’s wattage by the hours it’s used. That gives you watt hours. From there, you’ll divide the answer by 1,000 to get kilowatt-hours.
For example, if your dryer uses 2000 W and runs for two hours daily, it equates to 4 kWh of electricity.
How Much Electricity Does an Electric Dryer Use?
The electricity used by an electric dryer is impacted by the appliance’s wattage requirements and hours used. First, let’s understand its wattage, noting that this appliance requires a lot of electricity to function and effectively dry clothing.
Electric Dryer Wattage
The wattage of an electric dryer can vary significantly based on the model and features. On average, electric dryers use between 1,800 and 5,000 watts per hour, with an average of about 2.1 kWh of electricity. You can check the dryer’s label or packaging for an exact figure.
Given this wattage range, you can safely power an electric dryer with EcoFlow Portable Power Stations, specifically the more powerful EcoFlow DELTA Series Portable Power Stations. Models such as the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra can provide enough output power for dryers and more at 4kW output.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 and DELTA Pro Ultra feature proprietary X-Core 3.0 tech architecture, providing industry-leading performance, safety, and intelligence.
X-Core 3.0 delivers the following benefits.
- X-Stream delivers record-speed charging — only 50 minutes
- X-Boost’s revolutionary soft-start algorithm supports up to 6000W of appliances and central HVAC systems with just one unit
- X-Link parallel expansion provides up to 21.6kW of output power and 90kWh of electricity storage
- X-Quiet volume minimization means whisper-quiet operation at an industry-best 30dB*
- X-Fusion outpowers the grid by providing up to 7000W of electricity output from a single AC outlet in bypass mode. Standard household plugs deliver only 1800W. Plug in EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 or DELTA Pro Ultra and increase your output by close to 300%
- X-Guard is a protective triad of structure, material, and AI that keeps your home and family safe. It can even self-extinguish in the unlikely event of a fire.
Find out more about X-Core 3.0 here.
How Much Does It Cost To Run a Dryer?
Now that you know the average wattage of an electric clothes dryer, you may be curious how much it costs to run such an appliance in your home. Here are a few steps to figure this out:
Find the Wattage
Knowing your electric dryer’s wattage is the first step. If you don’t know the wattage, check the UL label on your dryer, the manufacturer’s manual, or their website.
Convert the Drying Time to the Percentage of an Hour
You’ll need to know what percentage of an hour it takes to dry your clothes since energy use is calculated in kilowatt-hours. An efficient dryer may dry your towels or linens in about 45 minutes, which converts to 0.75 hours.
Multiply That Percentage By the Wattage
Using your percentage in decimal form (0.75), you then multiply this by the wattage of your dryer that you found back in the first step. Let’s say your dryer’s wattage is 3,000.
.75 hours x 3,000 watts = 2,250 watts
Convert to Kilowatt Hours
Convert the total watts used into kilowatt-hours by dividing by 1,000.
2250 watts / 1,000 = 2.25 kilowatt-hours
In this example, the appliance uses 2.25 kilowatt hours per load.
Multiply Kilowatt Hours by Your Electricity Rate
Then, estimate the cost of drying a load of laundry by multiplying your kWh measurement by the rate you pay per kWh of electricity in your state. For the sake of this exercise, let’s say you’re in Iowa, where your rate is about $0.12/kWh. In that case,
2.25 kWh x $0.12 = $0.27 paid to dry each load of laundry in your electric dryer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Electric dryers can use a significant amount of electricity, especially if used frequently and for long drying cycles. However, newer models are designed to be more energy-efficient, using around the same power as a dishwasher and less than a water heater.
Final Thoughts
By measuring your clothes dryer’s energy consumption in kilowatt-hours and calculating the cost per load, you can make informed decisions to optimize energy use. Your dryer may also have features that allow you to turn down the heat or humidity, helping you save energy and money with each load.
If you’re interested in exploring energy-efficient alternatives further, check out the latest EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra. It can power your dryer and nearly any other appliance for standard or backup use.
*Under 2000W output