Cost to run a hair dryer
Short answer
Running a hair dryer (~1500W, ~0.2 hrs/day) costs about $0.05/day, $2/month, or $18/year at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh.
Wattage
1500 W
Per day
$0.05
Per month
$2
Per year
$18
Figures assume ~1500W for ~0.2 hours a day at the U.S. average 16.8¢/kWh. Your state's rate and your real usage change the total — enter both in the calculator.
What makes a hair dryer cost what it does
A hair dryer draws about 1500W and runs roughly 0.2 hours a day in a typical home. Run the standard formula — watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × your electricity rate — and at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh that's about $0.05/day, $2/month, or $18/year.
Two things move that figure most: how many hours it actually runs and what you pay per kilowatt-hour. How many hours it actually runs is the biggest lever on its cost. A hair dryer nominally at 1500W but used half as often costs roughly half as much — usage, not the nameplate rating, decides the bill.
Your electricity rate does the rest of the work. The same hair dryer costs about $11/year in a low-rate state like Idaho (10.5¢/kWh) but $46/year in Hawaii (42¢/kWh) — roughly a 4× swing for the identical appliance.
What determines the cost
| Factor | Effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Wattage | A hair dryer pulls about 1500W while running |
| Hours of use | Typically ~0.2 hr/day — double the hours and you double the cost |
| Electricity rate | What you pay per kWh (U.S. average 16.8¢) scales the whole bill |
| Efficiency & age | Newer, Energy-Star models draw less for the same job |
| Settings & duty cycle | How many hours it actually runs is the biggest lever on its cost |
| Standby draw | Many devices keep sipping power even when idle or 'off' |
Cost by electricity rate
Yearly cost to run this hair dryer at a low, average, and high state electricity rate.
| Rate | Yearly cost |
|---|---|
| Low rate (Idaho, 10.5¢) | $11/yr |
| U.S. average (16.8¢) | $18/yr |
| High rate (Hawaii, 42¢) | $46/yr |
How to cut what a hair dryer costs
- Cut runtime first: every hour you don't run the hair dryer is the cleanest saving, since cost is hours × watts × rate.
- Check your actual electricity rate — if you're above the 16.8¢ U.S. average, the hair dryer costs more than the headline figure here.
- Unplug the hair dryer when idle and favor an efficient model — small always-on draws add up over a year.
- Enter your own wattage, hours, and rate in the calculator for a hair dryer figure tuned to your home.
Your rate & usage
Open the cost calculatorOther appliances
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a hair dryer?
About $0.05 per day, $2 per month, or $18 per year at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh, assuming ~1500W for ~0.2 hours a day.
How many watts does a hair dryer use?
A typical hair dryer draws about 1500 watts when running. Your model may differ — check its label or a plug-in power meter and enter the real number in the calculator.
How can I cut the cost of running a hair dryer?
Run it less, use a more efficient model, and check whether your utility offers cheaper off-peak (time-of-use) rates. Costs also vary 4× by state, so your local rate matters a lot.