In many areas, natural gas and propane are cheaper than electricity, saving approximately half the cost to dry a load compared to an electric dryer. Dryers are the second least energy-efficient appliance in your home, with only the refrigerator surpassing it.
Which is better: gas or electric dryers? Both have their benefits. Gas dryers generally have lower average operating costs, but can be more expensive initially and require the installation of a gas hookup. Electric dryers are typically cheaper to purchase, but may cost more to operate over time.
The ideal way to dry your clothes – for energy but also boosting the longevity of your fabrics – is outdoors on a sunny day. Simple tricks such as shaking out clothes and using wooden pins instead of plastic ones help clothes dry quicker. Turn bright or dark items inside out to reduce fading on items like jeans.
Cons of a Gas Dryer
Gas dryers typically require a higher upfront investment, as they need venting and professional installation, says Galinsky. Additionally, gas dryers also need regular professional maintenance.
The initial investment for a gas dryer cost approximately $58 more, but natural gas is usually less costly than electricity, so gas dryers will cost less to operate. Depending on your utility rates, drying a load of laundry can cost between 19 to 38 cents in an electric dryer, and 16 to 34 cents in a gas dryer.
Electric dryers span a wide range of wattages, from about 2,000 to 6,000 watts. That translates to about 2 to 6 kWh of electricity. Based on the national average rate of 12¢ per kWh, each hour of electric drying will cost somewhere between 24¢ and 72¢, depending on the model.
Typically, a gas or electric dryer should take about 30 to 45 minutes to dry a full load of clothes. Dense fabrics—like a quilt or a load of thick bath towels—may take up to an hour to dry.
✅ Savings: On average, gas dryers cost 50% less to operate than electric dryers, saving you money on your monthly utility bills. Switching to an electric model may offer a wider variety of brands and models, but you might see a rise in your monthly home energy costs.
Electric dryers can be more budget friendly, but gas dryers may be a better investment over the long run. Both dryers last about the same time with proper maintenance. Gas dryers do require professional yearly maintenance. Both are safe to use, but gas dryers expel carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas.
A lot can happen between now and then. Note, however, that Los Angeles recently voted a gas appliance ban for new construction, requiring electric stoves, water heaters, furnaces, and clothes dryers. Similarly, San Francisco regulators approved a ban on new home furnaces and water heaters that rely on gas fuel.
Airers are generally cheaper to buy and run, but take longer, so for large loads, a tumble dryer may work out cheaper.
Eco wash uses a slower spin speed and cooler water. This means it uses less electricity, and thus costs less. Quick wash uses more electricity to deliver fast results, at a higher cost.
On average and across all loads and cycle configurations, electric clothes dryers may use anywhere from 1800 to 5000 watts of energy. That translates to somewhere in the range of 1.8 to 5 kWh of electricity. Maytag dryers typically require 2100 watts of energy.
Large amounts of moist air and lint are released by electric dryers, and both can seriously damage your home if they build up. To prevent causing harm to your property, an electrical clothes dryer must be vented properly.
Voltage requirements are different for gas and electric dryers. While possible, gas to electric dryer conversion isn't recommended. If you decide to make the switch, enlist the help of an appliance repair professional.
Looking at the most energy-efficient dryers on the market, you'll notice these handy appliances have come a long way over the past two decades. The energy savings vary by size, manufacturer, and other variables, but some models are up to 95% more efficient than similar models released 20 years ago.
Most efficient dryer: LG WKHC252H*A
It's expected to use just 266 kWhs of electricity annually and has a drum size of 7.8 cubic feet. Like most of the high-efficiency options out there, it's a heat pump dryer.
Most heated airers take a full afternoon or more to dry a load of washing, and those 8p hours will add up. Airers that dry clothes faster, such as the fan-heater-based Minky SureDri and JML DriBuddi, cost more to run. At 1,200W, the DriBuddi now costs about 30p an hour, adding up to more than 60p to dry a load.
Performance, efficiency, and operating costs
Gas dryers typically cost more to purchase and install. However, electric models are less energy efficient and cost more to run. Likewise, more maintenance is involved in running a gas vs electric dryer.
Lower Operating Costs: Total operating costs for gas dryers are lower due to less electricity consumption and generally lower costs for gas compared to electricity. While gas dryers may have higher upfront costs, the potential long-term energy savings can make them a cost-effective choice.
One of the most common reasons a dryer takes too long to dry clothes is that it's overloaded. When you overload a dryer, it can't circulate enough air around the clothes to dry them properly. As a result, they'll take longer to dry and may not be completely dry when they come out.
Just as with washing clothes, drying a full load of clothes is much more energy efficient than only drying half a load or less. 16. Dry towels and heavy cottons separately. When mixed with fast-drying lighter-weight items, these slow-drying items cause the whole load to take longer and use more energy.
If you are looking for extra softening effects and added fragrance, dryer sheets may be the better option; however, if you have allergies, dryer balls may help to spare irritations. For moisture-wicking fabrics such as activewear, microfiber and absorbent towels, dryer balls may work better than dryer sheets.