Cost to Run a Electric Clothes Dryer in Iowa
At Iowa’s April 2026 average residential rate of 13.86¢/kWh, a typical electric clothes dryer costs about $8.86 per month — or $87 per year.
Uses 2.1 kWh/day · 630 kWh/year.
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Formula: cost = watts × duty × hours/day × days/year × rate / 100 / 1000
About this appliance
A typical electric clothes dryer running ~5 loads per week at ~45 minutes per load.
This page uses Iowa’s residential average electricity price. Iowa households pay 26% less than the U.S. average of 18.83¢/kWh, so running the same electric clothes dryer in Iowa costs about $87/year, compared with the U.S. typical of $119/year.
Electric Clothes Dryer cost across other states
| State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Yearly cost |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.35 | |
| Idaho | 12.70 | |
| Nebraska | 13.28 | |
| Utah | 13.29 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.31 | |
| Iowa | 13.86 | |
| Montana | 13.90 | |
| Missouri | 14.01 | |
| Arkansas | 14.16 | |
| Nevada | 14.29 | |
| Washington | 14.36 | |
| Louisiana | 14.44 |
How to lower the cost of your electric clothes dryer in Iowa
- Wash full loads in cold water. Up to 90% of washer energy heats water — going cold saves ~$40–$60/year.
- Clean the dryer lint trap every cycle. A clogged filter increases dry time 15–30%.
- Use the moisture-sensor cycle instead of timed dry. Cuts ~15% off most dryer cycles.
Gear that helps
Tools and upgrades that pay back fastest for this appliance category. Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
- Cold-water detergent — perform like warm wash
- Wool dryer balls — cut dry time 15–25%
- Indoor drying rack — zero electricity for light loads
FAQ
How accurate is this estimate?
The calculation is exact for the given inputs. Real-world variation comes from your utility’s actual rate (which varies by plan and time-of-day), your specific appliance’s efficiency, and your usage pattern. Use the customize box above to plug in your own numbers.
Where does the 13.86¢/kWh come from?
It is the Iowa residential average from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (April 2026). See the methodology page.
How can I lower this cost?
Three high-impact moves: (1) shift heavy usage to off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use pricing; (2) switch to a more efficient unit (Energy Star); (3) reduce hours of use. For appliances with always-on standby draw, an inexpensive plug-in Kill-A-Watt meter often pays for itself by revealing surprise loads.