Gas vs Electric Dryer: Which Is Actually Cheaper in 2026?

At national average energy prices, a gas dryer costs roughly $64/year to run — about $70/year less than a standard electric resistance dryer. A heat pump dryer undercuts both at around $42/year. The right dryer for your home depends on what fuel hookup you already have, your local energy rates, and whether the heat pump dryer’s longer cycle time is acceptable.

The upfront picture is different from the running cost picture. Gas dryers typically cost more than comparable electric models. Heat pump dryers cost the most upfront. What matters is total cost over the dryer’s lifetime — typically 10–13 years.

Use our electric vs gas dryer calculator to model the full cost comparison with your local electricity and gas rates.

The Real Running Cost: All Three Dryer Types

Assumptions: 5 loads/week (260 loads/year), $0.19/kWh electricity, $1.50/therm natural gas (EIA 2025–2026 national averages).

Standard electric resistance dryer: ~5,000W element cycling on and off over a 45-minute cycle ≈ 2.7 kWh/load (DOE average: 769 kWh/year ÷ 283 cycles) × $0.19 = $0.51/load × 260 = $133/year

Gas dryer: ~16,500 BTU/load ÷ 100,000 BTU/therm = 0.165 therm/load × $1.50 = $0.25/load × 260 = $64/year

Heat pump dryer: 850W, 60-minute cycle = 0.85 kWh/load × $0.19 = $0.16/load × 260 = $42/year

Source: DOE residential clothes dryer test-procedure averages and Energy Star Certified Residential Clothes Dryers, 2025.

Type	Annual Running Cost	10-Year Running Cost
Standard electric	$133	$1,330
Gas	$64	$640
Heat pump electric	$42	$420

Typical installed cost:

• Electric resistance: $400–$800
• Gas: $500–$1,000 (add $500–$1,500 if no gas hookup exists)
• Heat pump: $800–$1,500

At national average rates, gas wins on running cost by a clear margin. But the comparison depends heavily on whether you already have the gas hookup — if not, the cost of adding one changes the math entirely.

When an Electric Dryer Makes More Sense

No gas hookup. Adding a gas line to a laundry room typically costs $500–$1,500. At roughly $70/year in running cost savings, that takes 7–20 years to pay back from laundry use alone. An electric dryer avoids that cost and is usually the better choice when switching from scratch.

Replacing an existing electric dryer. If you already have a 240V/30A circuit, an electric dryer is a direct swap. No gas line, no permit, no plumber needed.

Low electricity rates. In states like North Dakota or Iowa ($0.12–$0.13/kWh), an electric resistance dryer costs roughly $84–$91/year to run — closer to gas’s $64/year. The financial advantage of adding a gas hookup narrows significantly at those rates.

Installing a heat pump dryer. Heat pump dryers require no exterior vent. For apartments, interior laundry rooms, or stacked configurations where running a duct is impractical, a ventless heat pump dryer is often the only viable option — and at $42/year, it’s the cheapest to run of all three types.

When a Gas Dryer Still Makes Sense

Gas hookup already exists. The ~$70/year operating advantage over electric resistance is real. If your laundry room has gas and you’re replacing a gas dryer, there’s no reason to switch. Stick with gas.

High electricity rates. In California ($0.33/kWh), a standard electric dryer costs $232/year to run vs $64 for gas — a $168/year gap. A gas dryer pays back its upfront premium within 1–2 years for a California household with an existing gas hookup.

Large household, many loads. At 10 loads/week (520 loads/year), electric resistance costs $267/year vs $129 for gas. The annual advantage of gas doubles, making it the clear operating cost winner for large families.

The Heat Pump Dryer Case

Heat pump dryers capture and recirculate exhaust heat rather than venting it outside. That’s why they use only about 0.85 kWh per load — roughly a third of a standard electric dryer’s 2.7 kWh.

Practical considerations before buying:

• Cycle time is longer. A standard electric cycle runs 40–50 minutes; heat pump dryers typically take 60–75 minutes per load. That’s a real drawback for households running multiple loads back-to-back.
• Ventless, but needs condensate handling. No exterior duct is needed, but a floor drain or a removable condensate tank (emptied periodically) is required.
• Higher upfront cost. $800–$1,500 vs $400–$800 for a standard electric dryer. The $400–$700 premium pays back in 4–8 years at $0.19/kWh; faster in high-rate states like California.

LG and Bosch both offer widely available Energy Star certified heat pump dryer models in the U.S. market.

How Local Electricity Rates Shift the Comparison

State	Electricity Rate	Electric Dryer Annual Cost	Gas Dryer Annual Cost	Gas Advantage
North Dakota	$0.12/kWh	$84	$64	$20/yr
National avg.	$0.19/kWh	$133	$64	$69/yr
California	$0.33/kWh	$232	$64	$168/yr

The gas advantage grows sharply in high-electricity-rate states. California is the clearest case for gas over standard electric — and the clearest case for a heat pump dryer if you want electric and don’t have a gas hookup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a gas dryer cheaper to run than electric?

Yes, at national average energy rates. A gas dryer costs approximately $64/year to run vs $133 for a standard electric dryer (5 loads/week, EIA 2025–2026 averages). The advantage reverses only at electricity rates under about $0.09/kWh — no U.S. state averages that low.

Is a heat pump dryer worth the extra upfront cost?

At $0.19/kWh, a heat pump dryer saves about $91/year over a standard electric dryer. The $400–$700 upfront premium pays back in 4–8 years. If you’re replacing an electric dryer and plan to own it for 10+ years, a heat pump dryer is usually the better purchase financially.

Do heat pump dryers need to be vented?

No — that’s one of their main practical advantages. Heat pump dryers are ventless. They condense moisture into water that drains or collects in a removable tank, rather than blowing hot humid air outside. This makes them viable in apartments, interior rooms, and any space where running a 4-inch exhaust duct is impractical.

How much does it cost to add a gas hookup for a dryer?

Extending a gas line to a laundry room typically costs $500–$1,500 depending on distance and local labor. At roughly $70/year in operating savings, payback takes 7–20 years. For dryer use only, adding a new gas line is borderline — a heat pump dryer at $800–$1,500 upfront is often a better investment.

Does electricity rate affect whether gas or electric dryer is cheaper?

Significantly. At $0.33/kWh (California), electric resistance costs $232/year vs $64 for gas — a compelling case for gas if the hookup exists. At $0.12/kWh (North Dakota), the gap narrows to $20/year. The heat pump dryer at $42/year beats gas on running cost at nearly every electricity rate available in the U.S.

Are there any rebates available for dryers?

The Section 25C tax credit did not cover clothes dryers, but HEEHRA does: income-qualified households (≤150% of area median income) can get up to $840 toward an electric or heat pump dryer in states with active programs. Some utilities also offer modest rebates ($25–$100) for Energy Star certified dryers. For households that don’t qualify, the financial case for a heat pump dryer is its running cost savings.

How does dryer type affect drying performance?

Gas dryers dry slightly faster due to higher peak heat output. Heat pump dryers dry more gently — lower temperatures reduce fabric wear and are better for delicate items. Standard electric dryers perform roughly equivalently to gas for most laundry. The performance difference is meaningful if you regularly dry heat-sensitive fabrics.

How long do gas and electric dryers last?

Both typically last 10–13 years. Heat pump dryers are relatively new to the U.S. market, but European experience suggests 15+ year lifespans for the sealed refrigerant system. The longer lifespan compounds the running cost advantage of the heat pump model over time.