Running cost for the LG DLGX8981*
ENERGY STAR certifies the LG DLGX8981* at 685 kWh/yr, more expensive than most models in its category to run for its category.
That $129 is priced at 18.8¢/kWh, the average of all 51 state rates this site tracks. Your own state's rate is one click away.
How the LG DLGX8981* compares to other clothes dryers
The category average is 572 kWh/yr; this model runs 19.8% above it, ranking 510 of 639 clothes dryers tracked here for running cost. 639 certified clothes dryers, one average, about $21/year of daylight between it and this model; the full methodology has the rest.
Neighbouring models
Right next to the LG DLGX8981* on that list: LG DLGX8901* ($129/yr, 685 kWh/yr) runs slightly less, while LG DLGY1702*E ($129/yr, 685 kWh/yr) runs slightly more.
Same brand, different models
Ranked 136 of LG's 144 certified clothes dryers, this sits between the DLHC1455* ($25/yr, the brand's cheapest) and the WSGX201H*A ($129/yr, its priciest).
Cost over its typical lifespan
12 years is NAHB's typical service life for this category; at $129/year, the LG DLGX8981* adds up to about $1,545 in electricity over that span.
Is it worth replacing?
At $129/year, this is on the expensive side for a clothes dryer; the cheapest certified model in this category runs about $23/year, worth knowing before buying either the LG DLGX8981* or its replacement.
Worth comparing a few current certified models before deciding.
If you're keeping it
At $129/year just to run, a clothes dryer is worth protecting against an unplanned repair bill on top of that.
How this was checked
Two sourced numbers, nothing modeled: ENERGY STAR's certified kWh/yr for this exact model, and EIA's published state electricity rate. Ranked 510 of 639 certified dryers for running cost, the LG DLGX8981* is also worth reading with a caveat specific to this category: the methodology page explains why ENERGY STAR's own combined-energy figure for dryers can overstate the electric bill impact of a gas model.