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
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Drying time per load | In min |
| Loads per week | A number |
| Electric dryer power | Units: W, kW, hp |
| Gas dryer motor power | Units: W, kW, hp |
| Gas dryer burner rating | In BTU/h |
| Electricity price | Units: /kWh |
| Natural gas price | Units: /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 gas |
|---|---|
| 22.5 | 32.92 |
| 33.75 | 49.37 |
| 45 | 65.83 |
| 56.25 | 82.29 |
| 67.5 | 98.75 |
| 90 | 131.66 |
Formula
Electric cost per load = dryer kW × hours × electricity priceGas cost per load = (motor kW × hours × electricity price) + (gas rating BTU/h × hours ÷ 100,000 × price per therm)Yearly = per load × loads per week × 52Worked 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.
Frequently asked questions
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.