This is the appliance in your home that doubles your electricity bill.

If your electricity bill has been steadily rising, the cause may not be as obvious as you think. It’s easy to blame always-plugged-in devices like phone chargers, televisions, or refrigerators. Yet in many households, the appliance quietly driving energy costs higher is the electric clothes dryer.

Surprising as it sounds, an electric dryer can use more electricity in just a few minutes than some other household appliances consume in several hours.

Why Electric Dryers Consume So Much Energy
The primary reason is heat.

Electric dryers rely on powerful heating elements to rapidly raise air temperatures and keep them high enough to evaporate moisture from clothing. Generating and sustaining that level of heat requires a significant amount of electricity.

On average, an electric dryer uses 2,000 to 5,000 watts per hour. By comparison:

A modern refrigerator typically uses 150–300 watts

A laptop averages 50–100 watts

An LED television uses around 60–150 watts

A washing machine (without heating water) consumes far less energy

This means just 10 minutes of dryer use can equal several hours of electricity use from smaller appliances.

How Dryers Quietly Inflate Monthly Bills
Many households underestimate how often the dryer runs. One load may seem insignificant, but the numbers add up quickly:

Around 5 loads per week

Roughly 20 loads per month

40–60 minutes per load

That can translate into dozens of kilowatt-hours every month. In larger households, or homes with daily laundry routines, dryer usage alone can noticeably increase electricity costs—often without anyone realizing it.

Heavy items like towels, blankets, and denim only amplify the effect, as they require longer drying times.

Everyday Habits That Make Dryers Even More Expensive
Several common practices can significantly increase a dryer’s energy consumption:

Overloading the drum, forcing longer cycles

Clogged lint filters, which restrict airflow and reduce efficiency

Older or inefficient models, especially those without moisture sensors

High-heat settings, which consume far more electricity than low or eco modes

Long or poorly ventilated ducts, trapping heat and moisture

Each extra minute the dryer runs directly increases energy use and costs.

Electric vs. Gas Dryers

Electric dryers are generally more expensive to operate than gas models. While gas dryers still use electricity for the motor and controls, they rely on natural gas for heat, which is typically cheaper per unit than electricity.