What Does It Cost to Run a Hair Dryer in Pennsylvania?
EIA data for , updated · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
Running a hair dryer in Pennsylvania costs about $2.94 a month — $35.76 a year — at the state's average rate of 21.77 ¢/kWh. That's roughly $5.93 a year more than a household paying the national average pays for the exact same hair dryer. The estimate assumes a typical 1,800-watt hair dryer running 0.25 hours/day, at the all-in average rate (delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees already included; locally billed taxes vary by area).
Key metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average wattage assumption | 1,800 W |
| Typical usage assumption | 0.25 hours/day |
| Estimated monthly electricity use | 13.5 kWh |
| Estimated monthly cost | $2.94 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $35.76 |
Hair Dryer cost vs U.S. average
At the state average rate, a hair dryer in Pennsylvania costs $0.49 more a month than it would at the U.S. average rate.
How much electricity does a hair dryer use?
A hair dryer draws roughly 1,200-2,200 W; we use 1,800 watts running 0.25 hours/day. That comes to 0.45 kWh a day — 13.5 kWh a month, or 164.3 kWh over a year — using kWh = watts × hours ÷ 1000. For the wattage range, amps, and how that math works, see how many watts a hair dryer uses.
A hair dryer is a genuine power hog for the few minutes it runs — but a few minutes is all it is, so even daily use barely moves your monthly bill. Pennsylvania prices that energy at 21.77 ¢/kWh, against a 18.16 ¢/kWh national average.
Hair Dryer operating cost estimate in Pennsylvania
| Time period | Energy use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | 1.80 kWh | $0.39 |
| Per day | 0.45 kWh | $0.10 |
| Per month | 13.5 kWh | $2.94 |
| Per year | 164.3 kWh | $35.76 |
These figures use the all-in average rate. Your actual bill can run higher when separately billed taxes, seasonal pricing, and fixed monthly fees apply.
What changes the cost the most?
Two things move this number: your state's rate, which you can't change, and how hard the appliance works, which you often can. For a hair dryer, that mostly comes down to heat setting, daily use frequency, hair length and thickness.
Using yours more lightly or heavily than our assumption? The state calculator and usage-cost pages below model your exact scenario at the same rate.
For calculator-style comparisons, use the Hair Dryer calculator in Pennsylvania to compare light, typical, and heavy usage profiles.
Comparison entry points
Browse related comparisons from the energy comparison hub:
City pages for selected metros in Pennsylvania
These city pages add local rate context for the same appliance assumptions. City values are estimates.
| City | City rate | Monthly estimate | Yearly estimate | More detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 22.64 ¢/kWh | $3.06 | $36.68 | City electricity context |
| Pittsburgh | 21.99 ¢/kWh | $2.97 | $35.62 | City electricity context |
| Allentown | 21.77 ¢/kWh | $2.94 | $35.27 | City electricity context |
| Reading | 21.77 ¢/kWh | $2.94 | $35.27 | City electricity context |
| Erie | 21.77 ¢/kWh | $2.94 | $35.27 | City electricity context |
| Scranton | 21.77 ¢/kWh | $2.94 | $35.27 | City electricity context |
City electricity pages focus on local rate context. The table above uses the statewide average rate.
Related appliance cost pages for Pennsylvania
- Electric Blanket cost in Pennsylvania — Typical 100-200 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Hot Tub cost in Pennsylvania — Typical 1,500-6,000 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Iron cost in Pennsylvania — Typical 800-1,500 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Vacuum Cleaner cost in Pennsylvania — Typical 500-1,500 W estimate with state-specific pricing
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a hair dryer in Pennsylvania?
At 0.25 hours/day and the state average rate of 21.77 ¢/kWh, you'd pay about $2.94 a month.
Does this estimate include delivery fees and taxes?
Yes — the all-in average rate already includes delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees; locally billed taxes vary by area.
Where else can I compare this appliance?
See the appliance comparison guide, or the Pennsylvania bill estimator for whole-household profiles.
State cost and bill pathways for Pennsylvania
- Average power price in Pennsylvania — What a kWh of electricity costs in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania electricity rates — Core authority page with statewide pricing context
- Electricity cost in Pennsylvania — State-level cost, affordability, and value overview
- Electricity cost in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — City electricity page with methodology notes where city coverage is available
- Pennsylvania average electric bill — What a typical monthly bill looks like
- Electric bill estimator scenarios in Pennsylvania — Estimate your bill from your monthly usage
Historical and trend pages
- Historical electricity prices in Pennsylvania — Historical context and trend interpretation
- Electricity inflation in Pennsylvania — State electricity inflation analysis
- Pennsylvania electricity price volatility — Volatility and rate movement profile
Fixed-usage and calculator pathways
- 100 kWh cost in Pennsylvania — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- 102 kWh cost in Pennsylvania — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- Electricity cost for 114 kWh in Pennsylvania — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- Custom usage calculator for Pennsylvania — Custom kWh and scenario cost calculation
Appliance and estimator pathways
- Refrigerator cost in Pennsylvania — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Refrigerator calculator in Pennsylvania — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Space Heater cost in Pennsylvania — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Space Heater calculator in Pennsylvania — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Window Ac cost in Pennsylvania — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Window Ac calculator in Pennsylvania — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
State comparison pathways for Pennsylvania
- Compare Pennsylvania with other states — State-to-state comparison hub
- Pennsylvania vs Alabama electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
- Pennsylvania vs Alaska electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
Discovery and navigation hubs
- Pennsylvania electricity hub — Guide to this state's electricity rate, usage, comparison, and tool pages
- Electricity cost scenario hub — Entry point for residential and industry scenario pages
- Pennsylvania electricity cost overview — State-level electricity cost page with rates and typical bill context
- Average electric bill in Pennsylvania — Typical monthly bill estimate using a standard household usage assumption
- Pennsylvania electricity bill estimator — Household profile bill scenarios for this state
- Electricity usage hubs — Browse cost pages by common household usage tiers
Consumer electricity drivers
- Price drivers in Pennsylvania — Understand what influences state electricity prices
Source & Method
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Retail Sales of Electricity. EIA data for August 2026, updated Oct 28, 2026. Estimates use the EIA all-in average residential rate — energy, delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees together, not just the electricity itself. Fees are inside the rate, not an extra on top; how your own bill splits fixed versus per-kWh charges varies by utility. For what's inside the all-in rate, see hidden electricity fees; for how rates and estimates are defined, see the methodology hub.