Clothesline Savings Calculator

Estimate the dryer electricity you could avoid by air-drying some laundry. Replace every sample value with your own information.

Laundry loads per weekDryer electricity per load (kWh)Electricity price ($ per kWh)Portion of loads air-dried (%)New line or rack cost ($, optional)

Use nonnegative numbers and an air-dried share from 0 to 100%. These starting values are examples, not a national average.

Estimated annual electricity saving$79.56

$6.63 per month · 468.0 kWh avoided per year

First-year saving after equipment: $79.56

No new equipment cost entered.

Your calculation, step by step

5 loads/week × 52 weeks × 0.6 air-dried = 156.0 dryer loads avoided.

156.0 loads × 3 kWh × $0.17/kWh = $79.56 per year before equipment costs.

Estimated first-year net: $79.56 − $0.00 = $79.56. A negative result means the new equipment costs more than the first year's electricity saving.

Same inputs, different portions of laundry air-dried
Air-dried share	Annual electricity saving	First year after equipment
25%	$33.15	$33.15
50%	$66.30	$66.30
75%	$99.45	$99.45
100%	$132.60	$132.60

Formula

Loads per week × 52 × dryer kWh per load × electricity price × percentage air-dried. This estimates electricity only; it does not include gas, maintenance, fabric wear, or the value of time. The separate first-year result deducts the line or rack cost you enter.

For a better estimate, use your utility rate and appliance documentation. Read the complete guide.

Worked example: use a rack you already own

Hypothetical inputs: 5 loads each week, 3 kWh per dryer load, $0.17 per kWh, and 60% of loads air-dried. That is 156 dryer loads and 468 kWh avoided over a year: 468 × $0.17 = $79.56. With a new $25 rack, the first-year net becomes $54.56; at the same rate of use, the rack pays back in about 3.8 months. These are calculated examples, not measured household results or promised savings.

Make the estimate useful for your home

Use the variable electricity rate on your bill. Fixed monthly charges are not avoided by drying fewer loads.
Use energy per cycle from your appliance documentation or a safely obtained measurement; dryer power and cycle length vary.
Choose a share you can maintain across the year. Seasonal air-drying and finishing clothes in the dryer reduce the saving.
Start with equipment you already own. Compare the first-year net before buying a new rack.

For the assumptions and source links behind this tool, read our clothesline savings guide.