👕 Laundry
How Many kWh Does a Steam Iron Use?
Steam Iron energy cost calculator — see your exact daily, monthly, and yearly electricity cost.
Rate — APRIL 2026
⚡ 1200W typical
$
US national average. Edit for your local rate.
Daily Energy Use
0.60
kWh / day
Monthly Cost
$3.39
Yearly Cost
$41.24
Steam Iron — Cost Breakdown
| Period | kWh Used | Cost ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | 1.2000 | $0.2260 |
| Per Day | 0.60 | $0.11 |
| Per Month (30 days) | 18.00 | $3.39 |
| Per Year (365 days) | 219.00 | $41.24 |
⚡ Real-World Comparison
Ironing clothes for 30 minutes uses about the same energy as running a ceiling fan for 8 hours.
3 Ways to Cut Your Steam Iron Energy Bill
- 🌱
Iron clothes in bulk — the preheat energy is wasted if you iron just one item and turn it off.
- 💡
Start with low-temperature fabrics (synthetics) and work up to high (cotton, linen) to avoid reheating cycles.
- ⚡
Use a reflective ironing board cover to bounce heat back into the fabric, reducing the number of passes needed.
Startup Surge Information
Steam irons use a resistance heating element with no motor, drawing stable wattage with no startup surge.