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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Heat Pump Dryer in California? (2026)
A heat pump dryer recycles hot air instead of venting it, so it draws about a third of the power of a conventional dryer. Cycles take longer, but total energy per load is about half.
A typical heat pump dryer (900 W) costs $0.32 per hour, or about $18.90 per month at 2 hours a day in California. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (600 W) | $0.21 | $0.42 | $12.60 | $153.30 |
| Typical (900 W) | $0.32 | $0.63 | $18.90 | $229.95 |
| High (1,200 W) | $0.42 | $0.84 | $25.20 | $306.60 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 2 h/day ≈ 657 kWh per year.
In California, with electricity at $0.35 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical heat pump dryer costs $0.32 per hour and about $229.95 per year at 2 hours a day. That is about 94% more than the US national average of $9.72 per month, because electricity in California costs $0.35 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 3.2 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a heat pump dryer
- Clean both the lint filter and the heat exchanger filter regularly.
- Do not overload. Heat pump dryers are sensitive to airflow.
- Use the auto-dry sensor rather than timed programs.
In standby it draws about 1 W, which adds roughly 9 kWh ($3.07) per year if it is never unplugged.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heat pump dryer cost per load?
About 1.5 kWh, versus 3 kWh or more for a vented dryer.
Why does a heat pump dryer take longer?
It dries at a lower temperature. The energy saving comes from reusing the heat.
Is a heat pump dryer worth the higher price?
For households drying several loads a week, the savings typically repay the difference within a few years.
Compare with
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India