💨 Hair dryer

How much electricity does a hair dryer use? Cost per use

Hair dryer electricity use per use and per year by wattage, with the running cost.

Typical power

2,000 W

Cost per hour

$0.36 · £0.52

Per year · 146 kWh

$26 · £38

With 0.2 hours a day, electricity at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh all-in.

A 2,000 W hair dryer used for 10 minutes uses about 0.33 kWh. Not much, but it’s one of the highest-power devices in the home.

The cold setting uses far less: the element is off and only the motor runs, 50–100 W.

Consumption compared

TypeUsagekWh/yearCost/year
Travel, 1,200 W1,200 W88$16 · £23
Standard, 2,000 W2,000 W146$26 · £38
Professional, 2,400 W2,400 W175$32 · £46

Yearly cost with 0.2 hours a day.

Work out your cost

Per hour
$0.36
Per month
$2.19
Per year
$26
Energy per year
146 kWh

The price is a typical all-in figure for your country: replace it with yours (bill total ÷ kWh).

How to use less

  • Towel-dry well first: drying time drops by a third.
  • Use medium heat: maximum costs more and damages hair.
  • Clean the rear grille: when clogged, airflow drops and drying takes longer.
Lower-energy modelsCompare prices and energy labels on AmazonAmazon ↗

FAQ

How much electricity does a hair dryer use?
About 2,000 W, or 2 kWh for each hour of use; from 800 to 2,400 W depending on the model.
How much does it cost per year?
With 0.2 hours a day it uses about 146 kWh a year: about $26 · £38 at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh.
How can I reduce it?
Towel-dry well first: drying time drops by a third. Use medium heat: maximum costs more and damages hair.

And what does your whole home use?

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