Electric Dryer vs Gas Dryer (Electric Components): Which Costs Less to Run?
Both dry clothes with heat; one buys that heat as electricity, the other as natural gas. The electric meter tells only part of the story.
Electric Dryer · per month
$11.99
5 uses/week at 3 kWh each · 5,000 W
Gas Dryer (Electric Components) · per month
$1.60
5 uses/week at 0.4 kWh each · 400 W
Verdict
On energy cost per load, gas usually wins — often by half — because gas heat is cheaper per BTU in most states. Electric wins where gas service doesn't exist or rates are unusually low. If you already have a gas hookup in the laundry, a gas dryer is typically the cheaper decade-long choice.
Side by side
| Electric Dryer | Gas Dryer (Electric Components) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical power | 5,000 W | 400 W |
| Typical usage | 5 uses/week at 3 kWh each | 5 uses/week at 0.4 kWh each |
| Energy per month | 65 kWh | 8.7 kWh |
| Cost per month (US avg) | $11.99 | $1.60 |
| Cost per year (US avg) | $144 | $19.19 |
| Cost per month in Hawaii | $33.87 | $4.52 |
Rates as of May 2026. Adjust the assumptions on each appliance's page: Electric Dryer · Gas Dryer (Electric Components).
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to run: a electric dryer or a gas dryer (electric components)?
At typical usage and the current U.S. average rate (18.4¢/kWh), the gas dryer (electric components) is cheaper: about $1.60/month versus $11.99/month for the electric dryer — a difference of $10.39 per month.
How much could I save per year by choosing the gas dryer (electric components)?
About $125 per year at typical usage and average rates. In Hawaii (52¢/kWh) the annual gap grows to roughly $352.
Do these numbers apply to my state?
The ratio between the two stays the same everywhere, but the dollar gap scales with your rate — from Idaho at 12.4¢/kWh to Hawaii at 52¢/kWh. Open each appliance's page for the exact cost in your state.