As living costs continue to rise, more and more people are trying to find ways to reduce their electricity bills. What many homeowners don’t realize, however, is that one everyday appliance may be responsible for a large portion of that increase — and it’s not the TV or even the refrigerator. It’s the electric clothes dryer.

An electric dryer can use more power in a short amount of time than many other appliances use over several hours. The main reason is simple: it relies on intense heat to remove moisture from clothes, and producing that heat requires a lot of electricity.

According to energy experts, dryers work by pushing hot air through wet laundry and keeping temperatures high until everything is dry. Even short cycles demand a continuous flow of power, which quickly adds up on your meter.

When running, most electric dryers draw between 2,000 and 5,000 watts, far more than common household items. For comparison, devices like laptops, televisions, and even refrigerators use much less energy spread out over time. This means one drying cycle can cost as much as hours of other electronics being on.

What makes dryers tricky is how harmless they seem. Tossing in a quick load doesn’t feel like a big deal, but those small loads add up quickly, especially in busy households. Drying heavier items like towels, jeans, and blankets uses even more energy and keeps the machine running longer.

Certain habits can push costs even higher. Overloading the dryer, skipping lint filter cleaning, using high heat settings, or having poor ventilation can all force the dryer to work harder and longer, quietly increasing electricity use. Older machines are often less efficient as well.

Electric dryers also tend to be more expensive to operate than gas dryers, since gas models use electricity mainly for movement while heat comes from natural gas, which is often cheaper.

The good news is that reducing dryer-related costs doesn’t require major lifestyle changes. Air-drying some loads, using lower heat, and keeping the dryer well-maintained can noticeably cut energy use. Dryers may not run all day, but when they do, they consume a lot of power. If your electricity bill seems higher than expected, your dryer might be the hidden reason.