# Gas vs Electric Dryer Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/everyday-life/gas-vs-electric-dryer/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The gas vs electric dryer calculator compares the running cost of a gas and an electric clothes dryer per load and per year from their power ratings, cycle time and your electricity and gas prices.

## Inputs

- Drying time per load (min)
- Loads per week
- Electric dryer power (W, kW, hp)
- Gas dryer motor power (W, kW, hp)
- Gas dryer burner rating (BTU/h)
- Electricity price (/kWh)
- Natural gas price (/therm, /m³)

## Results

- Electric dryer – cost per load
- Gas dryer – cost per load
- Electric dryer – cost per year
- Gas dryer – cost per year
- Yearly saving with gas

## Formula

```
Electric cost per load = dryer kW × hours × electricity price
Gas cost per load = (motor kW × hours × electricity price) + (gas rating BTU/h × hours ÷ 100,000 × price per therm)
Yearly = per load × loads per week × 52
```

## Explanation

Electric dryers heat with an element of around 5 kW; gas dryers burn natural gas (typically about 20,000–22,000 BTU/h) and only use electricity for the drum motor and controls. Where gas is cheap, gas dryers usually cost less to run, but they cost more to buy and need a gas line and vent.

### How to use the Gas vs Electric Dryer Calculator

- **Drying time per load**
- **Loads per week**
- **Electric dryer power**
- **Gas dryer motor power**
- **Gas dryer burner rating**
- **Electricity price**
- **Natural gas price**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Enter the cycle time and loads per week, the electric dryer wattage, the gas dryer's gas rating and motor power, and your energy prices.

### Tips

- Use the figures from your own bills and product labels – prices and appliance ratings vary widely.
- Look at yearly totals: small daily costs add up and make it easier to compare options.
- Round quantities up to whole packs, rolls or bulbs when you shop.
- Re-check the numbers when prices change; most results scale directly with the unit price.

### Common mistakes to avoid

- Confusing watts (power) with watt-hours or kilowatt-hours (energy).
- Comparing prices without bringing them to the same unit first.
- Ignoring one-off costs such as installation, delivery or replacement parts.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterDrying time per loadIn minLoads per weekA numberElectric dryer powerUnits: W, kW, hpGas dryer motor powerUnits: W, kW, hpGas dryer burner ratingIn BTU/hElectricity priceUnits: /kWhNatural gas priceUnits: /therm, /m³

### What each result means

- **Electric dryer – cost per load** = [Electric dryer power]÷1000×[Drying time per load]÷60×[Electricity price]
- **Gas dryer – cost per load** = [Gas dryer motor power]÷1000×[Drying time per load]÷60×[Electricity price] + [Gas dryer burner rating]×[Drying time per load]÷60÷100000×[Natural gas price]
- **Electric dryer – cost per year** = [Electric dryer – cost per load]×[Loads per week]×52
- **Gas dryer – cost per year** = [Gas dryer – cost per load]×[Loads per week]×52
- **Yearly saving with gas** = [Electric dryer – cost per year] - [Gas dryer – cost per year]

### Example values

How the main result changes when **Drying time per load** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

Drying time per load (min)Yearly saving with gas22.532.9233.7549.374565.8356.2582.2967.598.7590131.66

## Worked example

Inputs — Drying time per load: 45 min; Loads per week: 4; Electric dryer power: 5,000 W; Gas dryer motor power: 300 W; Gas dryer burner rating: 22,000 BTU/h; Electricity price: $0.16 /kWh; Natural gas price: $1.5 /therm.

Results — Electric dryer – cost per load = $0.60; Gas dryer – cost per load = $0.28; Electric dryer – cost per year = $124.80; Gas dryer – cost per year = $58.97; **Yearly saving with gas = $65.83**.

## FAQ

**Is a gas dryer cheaper to run?**
Usually – with typical U.S. prices a gas load costs about 25–35 cents versus 50–60 cents electric.

**How many therms does a gas dryer use?**
About 0.2 therms per hour at 20,000 BTU/h.

**Are heat-pump dryers cheaper?**
Yes – they use about half the electricity of a standard electric dryer, though cycles are longer.

**What formula does the Gas vs Electric Dryer Calculator use?**
Electric cost per load = dryer kW × hours × electricity price.