Short answer
In many homes a gas dryer costs less per load to run than a comparable electric dryer, mainly because natural gas has often been cheaper than electricity for the same amount of heat. That is not guaranteed. The result depends on your local gas and electricity prices, how often you dry laundry, and how efficient the specific machine is. A gas dryer also usually costs more to buy and can cost much more to install if your home has no gas line, so the savings can take years to pay back, or may never do so.
How each dryer makes heat
An electric dryer heats air with an electric heating element. It needs a 240-volt circuit, and the same electricity also runs the drum motor and controls.
A gas dryer heats air with a burner fueled by natural gas or propane. It still plugs into a standard household outlet, because the motor, controls, and igniter run on electricity. So the answer to “does a gas dryer pull a lot of electricity?” is generally no: it uses some, but far less than an electric heating element does. Gas dryers also vent combustion gases outdoors, so a properly installed exhaust duct matters even more than it does for an electric model. If your dryer is propane, see propane clothes dryer vs electric for the differences.
How to estimate your own cost per load
Published per-load figures vary widely because utility prices vary widely. A better approach is to use your own rates.
Electric dryer: cost per load is roughly the kilowatt-hours used per load multiplied by your price per kWh. Your bill lists the price per kWh. Energy use per load depends on the machine, load size, and cycle. The manufacturer’s specifications or the yellow EnergyGuide-style label, if still attached, may help.
Gas dryer: cost per load is roughly the amount of gas burned multiplied by your gas price, plus a small amount of electricity. Gas is billed in units such as therms or hundreds of cubic feet, and propane is billed by the gallon. The dryer’s manual lists the burner rating in BTU per hour, which together with run time gives a rough fuel estimate.
Two useful conversions: one kilowatt-hour equals about 3,412 BTU, and one therm equals 100,000 BTU. These let you compare the price of heat from each fuel on a like-for-like basis. Keep in mind that burners and heating elements do not turn all of their input into useful drying, so treat any result as an estimate.
Illustrative example only: if a particular electric load used 3 kWh and your rate were 15 cents per kWh, the load would cost about 45 cents. Replace those numbers with your own.
Typical cost ranges people cite
You will often see claims that gas dryers cost roughly half as much per load as electric ones, with figures such as 15 to 25 cents per load for gas and 30 to 40 cents or more for electric. One utility-oriented source puts an efficient electric dryer’s yearly cost at around $120 to $130 versus about $85 for a similar gas model. Treat these as rough, dated, and region-dependent numbers rather than predictions for your home. In an area with expensive gas or cheap electricity, the gap can shrink or reverse.
As for “how much does it cost to run a gas dryer for 30 minutes,” there is no single answer. A rough way to estimate it is to take your dryer’s burner rating, convert half an hour of burning into therms or gallons, and multiply by your fuel price, then add a few cents for electricity. Keep in mind that a dryer’s burner cycles on and off, so it does not burn at full rating the entire time.
Costs beyond energy
- Purchase price: gas models are often priced somewhat higher than comparable electric models.
- Gas line: if there is no gas supply at the laundry location, adding one can be a significant expense and must be done by a licensed professional.
- Electrical: an electric dryer needs a dedicated 240-volt circuit. If you do not have one, an electrician will need to install it. A gas dryer needs a regular grounded 120-volt outlet.
- Venting: both types should vent outdoors unless the model is a ventless type such as a heat pump or condensing dryer.
- Age and efficiency: a newer, efficient dryer of either type can use meaningfully less energy than an old one, so the machine’s age and condition may matter as much as its fuel.
Downsides of a gas dryer
- Higher upfront cost and more complex installation.
- Requires a gas supply, which many homes, especially apartments, may not have.
- Needs a leak-free gas connection and a properly sealed, unobstructed exhaust duct.
- More components (burner, igniter, valves) that can eventually need repair.
- Fuel prices can change from season to season.
Safety: gas and electrical work needs a professional
Do not install, move, or repair a gas dryer’s gas connection yourself unless you are licensed to do so. Gas connections should be made and leak-tested by a qualified installer or technician, and many local codes require a licensed professional.
If you smell gas (often described as rotten eggs), do not operate switches, lighters, or appliances. Leave the home, and call your gas utility or emergency services from outside. Do not go back in until you are told it is safe.
For electric dryers, a new 240-volt outlet or any change to wiring should be done by a licensed electrician. Never swap a cord or plug type without checking the manual and local requirements.
Both dryer types are a fire risk if lint builds up in the dryer or the exhaust duct. Clean the lint screen every load and have the vent duct inspected and cleaned periodically. Our dryer vent issues guide covers the warning signs and how to check.
How to tell whether your dryer is gas or electric
- Power cord and plug: electric dryers use a large three- or four-prong plug. Gas dryers use a standard three-prong household plug.
- Gas pipe: a gas dryer has a gas connection, often a flexible metal line, at the back.
- Model label or manual: the rating plate usually states the fuel type.
If you cannot tell, ask a qualified technician rather than guessing, especially before moving the dryer, since pulling it away from the wall can strain a gas connection.
Ways to lower dryer costs either way
- Clean the lint screen after every load and keep the exhaust duct clear. Restricted airflow makes any dryer run longer.
- Do not overload the drum, and do not dry very small loads repeatedly if you can combine them.
- Use sensor (automatic) drying if your dryer has it rather than a long timed cycle.
- Spin out as much water as possible in the washer first (see washing machine cycles and spin speeds).
- Choose the right cycle for the fabric. See the permanent press setting and the delicates setting for lower-heat options.
- If you are replacing an electric dryer, heat pump dryers use considerably less electricity than conventional electric ones, though they usually cost more upfront and often run longer cycles.
Which one should you choose?
A gas dryer tends to make sense if your home already has a gas line at the laundry location, you plan to stay long enough to recover the extra cost, and local gas prices are reasonable. An electric dryer tends to make sense if there is no gas supply, you want a simpler installation, or electricity is relatively cheap where you live. If you are unsure, compare your actual rates using the method above and ask a licensed installer for a quote before deciding.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to run a gas or electric dryer? Often gas, but it depends on local prices and the specific machines. Calculate with your own rates.
Does a gas dryer pull a lot of electricity? No. It needs power for the motor, controls, and igniter, but the heat comes from gas.
Can I put an electric dryer in a home that has a gas hookup? Possibly, if there is a suitable 240-volt outlet. Many homes set up for gas have only a 120-volt outlet, so an electrician may be required.