Gas Dryer vs. Electric Dryer Running Costs: Price Comparison by State

A standard electric clothes dryer uses roughly 3.3 kWh per load, costing about 61 cents per load at 18.34¢ per kWh. A gas clothes dryer uses about 0.22 therms of natural gas plus 0.4 kWh of electricity for the motor, costing roughly 38 cents per load at national average utility rates ($1.40/therm). Gas dryers save $50 to $80 per year over standard vented electric dryers, but modern ventless heat pump electric dryers match or beat gas operating costs.

Key takeaways

• Natural gas delivers thermal heat at a lower cost per BTU than electric resistance heating in most states.
• A family doing 300 loads per year spends roughly $183 on a vented electric dryer versus $114 on a gas dryer.
• Gas dryers cost $100 to $150 more upfront and require a dedicated gas supply line and exterior metal exhaust.
• Heat pump electric dryers use 50% less electricity than vented electric dryers, closing the cost gap with gas.

The energy math: kilowatt-hours versus therms

To compare electric and gas dryers, convert both fuels to equivalent thermal units (BTUs). One kilowatt-hour of electricity provides 3,412 BTUs of heat. A standard vented electric dryer running a 45-minute cycle draws roughly 4,500 watts, using 3.37 kWh (about 11,500 BTUs) of electrical energy.

A gas dryer uses an electric motor to tumble the drum and fan air (drawing 350 watts, or 0.26 kWh), while a gas burner supplies 20,000 to 22,000 BTUs per hour of thermal heat. In a 45-minute load, the burner fires intermittently, consuming approximately 0.22 therms (22,000 BTUs) of natural gas.

Check current certified dryer numbers on our clothes dryer directory or review the most expensive states to run a clothes dryer leaderboard.

State utility rates: where gas wins and where it ties

In states with very cheap natural gas relative to electricity, like California (gas at $1.80/therm, electricity at 32¢/kWh), an electric dryer costs $1.08 per load while a gas dryer costs 52 cents per load, saving $168 annually on 300 loads. In the Midwest (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois) where natural gas is inexpensive, gas dryers consistently beat electric resistance.

However, in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon) with low-cost hydroelectric power at 11.5¢/kWh, electric drying costs 38 cents per load, matching natural gas. You can read our detailed guide on how much electricity a clothes dryer uses per load for cycle-level breakdowns.

Installation and infrastructure costs

Gas dryers require a 120-volt electrical outlet, a black iron or flexible stainless steel gas line with a manual shutoff valve, and a rigid metal exhaust duct vented outside. If your laundry room lacks an existing gas drop, hiring a licensed plumber to run a new pipe costs $400 to $1,000, which can erase several years of fuel savings.

FAQ

Can a gas dryer be converted to propane (LP)? Yes. Most gas dryers come configured for natural gas from the factory, but manufacturers sell LP conversion kits consisting of smaller burner orifices to handle higher-pressure propane.

Are gas dryers faster than electric dryers? Yes. Gas burners heat up instantly to full operating temperature, whereas electric coils take a few minutes to reach peak thermal output, shaving 5 to 10 minutes off heavy towel loads.

How does a heat pump electric dryer compare to gas? A heat pump electric dryer uses only 1.5 to 1.8 kWh per load (about 28 to 33 cents). In most states, a heat pump electric dryer is cheaper to run than a gas dryer.

Data notes & sources

Consumption benchmarks are derived from WattCost dataset testing parameters and EIA residential energy rate tables.

National natural gas prices: U.S. EIA Natural Gas Residential Prices.

Dryer testing standards: ENERGY STAR Clothes Dryers Program.