How to Use the Dryer vs Air-Drying Calculator
Deciding whether to buy or keep using a dryer usually comes down to worrying about electricity costs. But air-drying isn't actually free — hanging laundry, waiting for it to dry, and collecting it all take real time. This calculator converts both the dryer's electricity cost and the time spent air-drying into dollar amounts so you can compare them directly.
Multiply the dryer's electricity use per load by your electricity rate and weekly loads to get the annual cost. On the other side, converting the time spent air-drying into a dollar value using your hourly rate gives a comparable annual figure. For dual-income households with a high time value, the dryer's electricity cost is often worth it just to save the time.
If you work from home or have ample drying rack space so hanging and collecting takes almost no time, air-drying may come out ahead financially. Factors like seasonal humidity, drying speed, and fabric wear from the dryer aren't included here, so weigh those too for a fuller picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Air-drying doesn't cost electricity, but hanging and collecting laundry takes time. This calculator converts that time into a dollar value using your hourly rate and compares it to the dryer's electricity cost, so a higher time value tends to favor the dryer.
A standard electric dryer typically uses about 2 to 3 kWh per load on a normal cycle. Heat-pump dryers use significantly less, often around 1.5 kWh per load.