What Does It Cost to Run a Hair Dryer in Washington?
Running a hair dryer in Washington costs about $2.01 a month — $24.49 a year — at the state's average rate of 14.91 ¢/kWh. That's roughly $5.63 a year less 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 | $2.01 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $24.49 |
Hair Dryer cost vs U.S. average
At the state average rate, a hair dryer in Washington costs $0.46 less 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. Washington prices that energy at 14.91 ¢/kWh, against a 18.34 ¢/kWh national average.
Hair Dryer operating cost estimate in Washington
| Time period | Energy use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | 1.80 kWh | $0.27 |
| Per day | 0.45 kWh | $0.07 |
| Per month | 13.5 kWh | $2.01 |
| Per year | 164.3 kWh | $24.49 |
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 Washington 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 Washington
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 15.21 ¢/kWh | $2.05 | $24.64 | City electricity context |
City electricity pages focus on local rate context. The table above uses the statewide average rate.
Related appliance cost pages for Washington
- Electric Blanket cost in Washington — Typical 100-200 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Hot Tub cost in Washington — Typical 1,500-6,000 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Iron cost in Washington — Typical 800-1,500 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Vacuum Cleaner cost in Washington — Typical 500-1,500 W estimate with state-specific pricing
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a hair dryer in Washington?
At 0.25 hours/day and the state average rate of 14.91 ¢/kWh, you'd pay about $2.01 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 Washington bill estimator for whole-household profiles.
State cost and bill pathways for Washington
- Average power price in Washington — What a kWh of electricity costs in Washington
- Washington electricity rates — Core authority page with statewide pricing context
- Electricity cost in Washington — State-level cost, affordability, and value overview
- Electricity cost in Seattle, Washington — City electricity page with methodology notes where city coverage is available
- Washington average electric bill — What a typical monthly bill looks like
- Electric bill estimator scenarios in Washington — Estimate your bill from your monthly usage
Historical and trend pages
- Historical electricity prices in Washington — Historical context and trend interpretation
- Electricity inflation in Washington — State electricity inflation analysis
- Washington electricity price volatility — Volatility and rate movement profile
Fixed-usage and calculator pathways
- 100 kWh cost in Washington — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- 102 kWh cost in Washington — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- Electricity cost for 114 kWh in Washington — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- Custom usage calculator for Washington — Custom kWh and scenario cost calculation
Appliance and estimator pathways
- Refrigerator cost in Washington — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Refrigerator calculator in Washington — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Space Heater cost in Washington — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Space Heater calculator in Washington — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Window Ac cost in Washington — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Window Ac calculator in Washington — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
State comparison pathways for Washington
- Compare Washington with other states — State-to-state comparison hub
- Washington vs California electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
- Washington vs Florida electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
Discovery and navigation hubs
- Washington 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
- Washington electricity cost overview — State-level electricity cost page with rates and typical bill context
- Average electric bill in Washington — Typical monthly bill estimate using a standard household usage assumption
- Washington 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 Washington — Understand what influences state electricity prices
Source & Method
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Retail Sales of Electricity. Updated: June 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.