How much does a clothes iron cost to run in Washington?
$0.45 a month
- A day of use
- $0.05
- An hour of running
- $0.10
- A year
- $5.44
1,400 W, 30 minutes, twice a week, with the thermostat cycling about half the time, at Washington’s average rate of 14.9¢ per kWh (EIA, June 2026). How we calculate this
Change the watts, hours or rate
What it costs at other usage levels
| Use | A day | A month | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes a day typical | $0.05 | $0.45 | $5.44 |
| 1 hour a day | $0.10 | $0.91 | $10.88 |
| 2 hours a day | $0.21 | $1.81 | $21.77 |
| 4 hours a day | $0.42 | $3.63 | $43.54 |
| 8 hours a day | $0.83 | $7.26 | $87.07 |
| 24 hours a day | $2.50 | $21.77 | $261.22 |
Models range from 1,000 W to 1,800 W (Virginia Cooperative Extension). We use 1,400 W, the middle of that range.
Washington compared with other states
Washington’s residential rate is the 13th cheapest of 51 states and DC, 3.4¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−19%). Washington’s rate is up 2.0¢ from June 2025 (13.0¢, +15.0%).
Ways to spend less
- Iron in one session a week instead of several. Saves about $0.23 a month.
- Start with fabrics that need the lowest heat.
- Take clothes out of the dryer promptly so they need less ironing.
Questions
How much does it cost to run a clothes iron per hour?
About $0.10 an hour in Washington. A clothes iron at 1,400 W uses 0.700 kWh per hour, with its thermostat cycling it on about 50% of the time, and at Washington’s average of 14.9¢ per kWh that comes to $0.10.
How much does a clothes iron add to your electric bill?
Used 30 minutes, twice a week, with the thermostat cycling about half the time, about $0.45 a month in Washington, or $5.44 a year.
How much does it cost to run a clothes iron 24 hours a day?
Running nonstop, a clothes iron would use 16.8 kWh a day and cost $2.50 a day, or $76.19 over an average month in Washington.
How many watts does a clothes iron use?
Models range from 1,000 W to 1,800 W (Virginia Cooperative Extension). We use 1,400 W, the middle of that range. Check the label on yours: cost scales directly with watts, so a 20% lower wattage means a 20% lower bill.
Why does a clothes iron cost more or less to run in Washington than elsewhere?
Washington’s residential rate is the 13th cheapest of 51 states and DC, 3.4¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−19%). Washington’s rate is up 2.0¢ from June 2025 (13.0¢, +15.0%). The appliance uses the same energy everywhere; only the price per kWh changes.
Sources
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Estimating appliance and home electronic energy use (reproduces U.S. Department of Energy sample wattages)
- Penn State EGEE 102: Typical range of power consumption (wattage)
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A: average price of electricity to ultimate customers, residential, June 2026 Figures transcribed from republications of this table on September 26, 2026; pending direct verification from the EIA API.
- Carrier page: June 2026 residential average price, citing EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A
Usage assumptions (hours a day, season) are ours and listed on the methodology page. Found an error? Tell us.