Gas vs Electric Dryer: Which Costs Less to Run in 2024?

TL;DR: A gas dryer typically costs $0.15 to $0.25 per load to run, while an electric dryer costs $0.45 to $0.61 per load at national average utility rates (roughly $0.16/kWh electric, $1.20/therm gas). Over 10 years of weekly laundry, that gap adds up to $150-$300 in savings for gas, but installation costs (a 240V circuit vs. a gas line) can offset the difference depending on your home's existing setup.

_Last reviewed: July 2026 · 7 min read_

Your dryer bill on the electric statement looks higher than you expected, and you're wondering if switching to gas would actually save money or just move the cost around. The honest answer: gas usually wins on operating cost, but the upfront and installation numbers change the math for a lot of homes.

Okoniq Property Hub lets you log appliance install dates and utility costs by unit, so you can see the real cost-per-load difference across properties instead of guessing.

How much does it cost to run a gas dryer vs an electric dryer?

A gas dryer burns about 0.4 to 0.5 therms per load, which at the 2024 average residential gas price of roughly $1.20 per therm works out to $0.15 to $0.25 per load. An electric dryer draws around 3,000 watts and runs 40-50 minutes per load, which at the national average of $0.16 per kWh comes out to $0.45 to $0.61 per load.

Run five loads a week and the gap is small week to week, maybe $1.50 to $1.80, but over a year it's $75 to $95, and over 10 years it's $750 to $950 in favor of gas. That's before factoring in utility rate hikes, which have outpaced inflation in several states over the past three years.

Electric dryers do heat faster in some models, which can shave a few minutes per cycle, but the fuel cost per load still favors gas in almost every US market where natural gas service is already available.

What does it cost to install each dryer type?

Installation cost usually decides the winner, not the per-load rate. If your laundry room already has a gas line and a 120V outlet, converting to gas might only need a $150-$400 dryer gas connector kit and a licensed plumber's labor. If there's no gas line at all, running one from the meter can cost $500 to $1,200 depending on distance and whether you're cutting through finished walls or flooring.

Electric dryers need a dedicated 240V, 30-amp circuit, which is a different conversation entirely if your panel is older or already near capacity. Homes with 100 amp service instead of 200 amp sometimes can't add a new 240V circuit without a panel upgrade first, which runs $1,500-$3,500 on its own. If your outlets are still the older 2-prong style, that's a separate safety issue worth fixing regardless of which dryer you choose.

| | Gas Dryer | Electric Dryer | |---|---|---| | Cost per load | $0.15-$0.25 | $0.45-$0.61 | | Upfront unit cost | $800-$1,000 | $700-$900 | | New install cost | $500-$1,200 (gas line) | $300-$3,500 (circuit/panel) | | Typical lifespan | 10-13 years | 10-13 years |

Does dryer lifespan or maintenance differ between gas and electric?

Both types last about 10 to 13 years with normal use, and the maintenance routine is nearly identical: clean the lint trap after every load and clear the exhaust duct once a year. Gas dryers have one extra failure point, the igniter or gas valve, which typically costs $150-$300 to replace when it fails, usually somewhere around year 7-9.

Electric dryers have heating elements that burn out on a similar timeline, costing $100-$250 to replace. Neither type has a meaningful lifespan edge over the other. What matters more for both is duct length and airflow. A crushed or overly long exhaust duct forces the heating element or burner to work harder, shortening its life and raising your operating cost regardless of fuel type.

Which one should you actually choose for your home?

Choose gas if you already have a gas line to the laundry area and your circuit panel would need upgrading for electric, since the install cost gap alone can make gas the cheaper option even before counting per-load savings. Choose electric if your home has no gas service at all, since running a new gas line from scratch usually costs more than adding a 240V circuit, especially in homes already wired near code minimums.

Rental property owners should also factor in tenant turnover. Electric dryers are simpler for tenants to operate and troubleshoot, and there's no risk of a gas leak complaint tying up a unit for a service call. If you're managing multiple units, standardizing on one fuel type across properties also simplifies your parts inventory and repair vendor relationships.

Is it worth switching fuel types if you already own a working dryer?

It's rarely worth switching just for the per-load savings alone. If your current dryer is under 7 years old and running fine, the $750-$950 in savings over 10 years won't outpace a $1,200+ install cost for a new gas line or panel upgrade. Switching makes more sense when you're already replacing a dead unit or doing a laundry room renovation, since the marginal install cost at that point is much lower.

Homes with older wiring are a special case. If you're already planning electrical work because you found knob-and-tube wiring somewhere in the house, bundling a 240V circuit into that same project cuts your incremental cost significantly compared to a standalone job.

FAQ

Is a gas dryer really cheaper to run than electric?

Yes, in almost every US market a gas dryer costs $0.15-$0.25 per load versus $0.45-$0.61 for electric, based on 2024 national average utility rates.

How much does it cost to convert an electric dryer hookup to gas?

If a gas line already exists nearby, expect $150-$400 for the connector and labor. If a new line needs to be run to the laundry area, budget $500-$1,200.

Do gas dryers dry clothes faster than electric?

Gas dryers often heat up slightly faster, but total cycle time is usually within a few minutes of an electric dryer for the same load size and moisture level.

Does a gas dryer need a special outlet too?

Yes, gas dryers still need a standard 120V outlet to power the drum motor, timer, and controls, even though the heat itself comes from gas.

How often should I clean the lint trap regardless of dryer type?

Clean it after every single load. A clogged lint trap forces the dryer to run longer cycles, which raises your operating cost on both gas and electric units.

This is educational information, not electrical or financial advice. Talk to a licensed electrician or plumber before adding a gas line or upgrading a circuit, and check with your utility provider for current per-unit rates in your area.