Gas vs. Electric Clothes Dryer Operating Cost
- In general, a gas dryer will cost about $50 more than an electric model up front. Consider installation costs before making your decision. An electric dryer needs a 240-volt outlet, while a gas dryer needs a standard outlet plus a gas hookup, proper connections and venting.
- Both gas and electric dryers use a small motor to tumble clothes through heated air, while an electric fan distributes the heat. As your clothes dry, moist air is pushed out through the lint filter to make room in the drum for more warm air.
Gas dryers use a burner, producing heat immediately, while electric dryers use coils that take longer to warm up. For this reason, the Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Utility District calculates that an electric dryer needs about 20 percent more time to dry the same load of clothes. - The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that we use 30 to 40 cents worth of electricity or 15 to 20 cents worth of natural gas to dry each load of laundry. This means you can dry two loads in a gas dryer for the price of one in an electric model.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) reports that electric dryers are second only to refrigerators in consuming energy, costing a typical household about $85 a year. Gas dryers, by comparison, cost about $40 to run each year. - Whether you opt for gas or electric, you can maximize your savings by choosing a model with the highest "energy factor," a rating that measures the pounds of clothing that can be dried per unit of energy. The higher the number, the lower the operating costs.
Look for a dryer with a moisture sensor to automatically shut off the machine once your load is dry, which the CEC reports can cut drying time by as much as 15 percent. Models that offer cool-down, "perma-press," delicate or air-fluff cycles also give you the option of using less heat, and less energy.
Always run full loads and try to run them back-to-back to take advantage of retained heat. Clean the lint filter after each load; the CEC estimates that a clogged filter can boost energy use by as much as 30 percent by trapping moist air inside the drum. Regularly check your dryer's outside vent to make sure cold air isn't leaking inside. - Finally, don't forget the least expensive method of all: an old-fashioned clothes line. The sun dries for free. Most cities allow them, but some homeowners' associations or planned communities have clothes-line rules. Check before you install.