Is it cheaper to run a gas dryer or electric dryer?

Category: home and garden home appliances
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Which is cheaper to operate? For drying similarly sized laundry loads, gas is cheaper than electric. Gas dryers run hotter than electric dryers, which reduces drying time and costs over time.



Thereof, what is cheaper to run gas or electric dryer?

Gas costs less than electricity, and gas dryers typically run hotter than electric dryers, which means wash loads usually take less time to dry. This can save on wear and tear on your clothes and also help reduce your utility bills. However, gas dryers usually cost more upfront than electric dryers.

Similarly, why are gas dryers more expensive than electric? Most every dryer will come either as a gas or electric version. Gas dryers cost more to purchase, approximately $50 to $100 more, than the comparable electric model. That's because the components for gas dryers are more expensive than those that electric dryers.

Regarding this, is it better to have gas or electric dryer?

Vented Electric is cheaper to buy with gas being cheaper to operate. Specialty electric dryers (condensation/heat pump) are generally most expensive. If you wash 1 load or more a day and plan on staying in your home for more than 2.5 years gas is better. Electric is a better choice for anything less.

How much does it cost to run a gas dryer for an hour?

A typical dryer uses between approximately 11,000 BTUs per hour because the gas cycles on and off during the drying time. One therm equals 100,000 BTUs, which means a dryer uses . 11 therm per hour. The gas costs roughly $.

28 Related Question Answers Found

How much does it cost to run a dryer for 30 minutes?

Appliance Electricity Usage
Appliance Typical Consumption Per Hour Cost Per Hour (at 10 cents per kilowatt-hour)
Clothes dryer/water heater 4,000 watts 40 cents
Water pump 3,000 watts 30 cents
Space heater 1,500 watts 15 cents
Hair dryer 1,200 watts 12 cents

Does a dryer use a lot of electricity?

The “Saving Electricity” website reports that the average dryer uses 3.3 kilowatt hours of energy and estimates an average of 11 cents per kilowatt hour. A small load of clothes takes about 45 minutes in the dryer, so the cost of that load is $0.36.

What lasts longer gas or electric dryer?

Durability. Electric dryers typically last longer than gas dryers, and they are also easier to fix. The first thing to break on a gas dryer is often the pilot light, which can be costly to repair and requires a specialist to fix it.

Do gas dryers shrink clothes?

When the clothes are washed, they soak up a lot of water, swelling up. Then, under the heat of the dryer, they dry and shrink to their normal size. However, as they continue to dry, they start curling up, which makes them smaller than they originally were.

Are gas dryers worth it?


The price of natural gas, however, is generally lower than electricity (depending on where you live, of course, and other variables). Depending on your rates, drying a load can cost between 32-41 cents per load in an electric dryer and 15-33 cents in a gas dryer.

Are gas dryers dangerous?

Gas and electric dryers present different safety concerns.
Gas-powered appliances always pose a concern because ill-fitting gas line connections can lead to gas leaks in the home—a potential fire hazard. Improperly vented gas dryers also increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

What are the advantages of a gas dryer?

Advantages of a gas dryer
High-efficiency natural gas dryers dry your clothes quickly and for less money than electric models. They also produce less static cling. When a gas dryer turns off, the heat dissipates quickly, reducing the amount of wrinkling.

How long does a gas dryer last?

approximately 13 years

Do gas dryers need to be vented?

Gas dryers are not permitted to vent indoors for this reason. In this context, venting refers to a flue that directs combustion byproducts outside the house as opposed to a vent for waste water or the vent that directs hot air and lint away from the dryer. They are one and the same for gas dryers.

Do gas dryers turn clothes yellow?


3) gas can turn some white clothes yellow. 5) Gas driers have a flame. They are very safe and if installed correctly they can be even safer, but no matter how well it's built, the chance of a fire is always a little bit higher than in an electric dryer.

Are dryers expensive to run?

While there's no doubt that tumble dryers are still among the most expensive items to run in the home, technological developments have seen running costs of the best performers fall more into line with dishwashers, and even some washing machines.

How do I choose a dryer?

Size Does Matter
  1. The standard width of clothes dryer is 27 to 29 inches. Small space?
  2. For optimum drying, you'll want a machine that's twice the capacity of your clothes washer.
  3. If you wash bulky, oversized items on a regular basis, consider a larger-than-average capacity dryer.

Do you have to light a pilot light on a gas dryer?

Your dryer does not have a pilot light. The dryer has an automatic electronic ignition system. It uses a glow bar ignitor that must glow red hot in order to ignite the gas burner once the gas valve opens.

Does Costco sell washer and dryers?

Costco has its fans. That could be because washers and dryers are only sold at Costco.com, and there are limited items on display in the warehouse stores.

Can you use an electric dryer if you have gas hookups?


If you only have an electric hookup, go with an electric dryer because adding a gas line is an added expense. If you have a gas hookup, choose a gas dryer.

Are new dryers more efficient?

Most of the better-quality dryers today include this feature. Did You Know? Clothes dryers use 2 to 4 times more energy than a new clothes washer, and almost twice as much electricity as a new refrigerator. High-efficiency washers save dryer energy use by removing more water in the spin cycle.

How long should it take to dry a load of clothes?

Drying. The average load of laundry takes between 30 and 45 minutes. While there are some items that take longer to dry — towels, jeans, etc. — most items are dry in about 40 minutes.