Gas vs Electric Dryers: Operating Cost Comparison
A typical electric dryer draws 5,000W and runs about 45 minutes per load — 3.75 kWh. At 18¢/kWh, each load costs $0.68. Gas dryers use roughly 0.22 therms per hour plus a 0.7kW motor. At $1.70/therm, each load costs $0.38 all-in. Gas is consistently cheaper per load when these national average prices apply — roughly 44% cheaper per cycle. At 5 loads per week × 52 weeks = 260 loads/year: electric costs $175.50/year, gas costs $97.50/year. The $78/year difference is meaningful but still modest in absolute terms — the decision should be driven primarily by installation infrastructure (do you already have a gas line and vent?), with operating cost as a secondary factor.
The Real Question: Installation Infrastructure
If you have a gas line at the laundry location, a gas dryer makes sense — lower operating cost, no electrical upgrade needed, and slightly faster drying times. If you only have a 240V electrical outlet, an electric dryer is the obvious choice — installing gas service to the laundry room costs $500–$1,500 or more depending on distance from the main line. The operating cost savings never justify a gas line installation. The decision usually makes itself based on existing infrastructure — not by running cost comparisons.
Heat Pump Dryers: The Third Option Worth Considering
Heat pump dryers recirculate air through a heat exchanger rather than exhausting it, using 40–50% less electricity than conventional electric dryers (approximately 1.9 kWh per load vs. 3.75 kWh, accounting for their ~25% longer cycle). At 18¢/kWh, heat pump dryer cost is $0.34/load — essentially matching gas at current national rates. Note that clothes dryers — heat pump or standard — are not eligible for the federal Section 25C tax credit (that credit was limited to HVAC heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, insulation, and windows), and 25C itself expired for any equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. Some state or utility rebate programs (check dsireusa.org) do cover heat pump dryers, but there is currently no federal credit to offset the $800–$1,200 price premium over standard electric. Heat pump dryers also don't require an exhaust duct — useful for homes where venting to exterior is difficult. The main trade-off: longer drying cycle (60–90 minutes vs. 45 minutes for conventional).
Ventless Electric: A Practical Option for Apartments
Condensing electric dryers (non-heat pump ventless) are common in Europe and growing in U.S. apartments where exterior venting is impractical. They use slightly more electricity than heat pump dryers but less than vented electric, and can be installed anywhere with a 240V outlet and drain connection. For apartment renters or condo owners with laundry hookups but no exterior vent, ventless electric is the primary option — and at 3.5–4 kWh/load, it costs $0.046–$0.052/load, still cheaper than gas in higher electricity rate markets like New England or California.