How to Use Gas vs Electric Dryer Calculator
The Gas vs Electric Dryer Calculator compares the total cost of ownership for two dryer choices over the same number of years. It includes purchase price, installation, energy per load and utility rates so a cheaper appliance does not hide a higher operating cost.
- Enter loads per week and years.
- Add gas dryer price and gas hookup install cost.
- Add electric dryer price and install cost.
- Enter rates — $/therm and $/kWh.
- Read lifetime cost for each and the payback period for gas.
Formula & Theory — Gas vs Electric Dryer Calculator
The Gas vs Electric Dryer Calculator multiplies weekly loads by 52 to annualize use, then adds energy cost to each machine’s upfront cost. Gas dryers still use a small amount of electricity for the motor and controls, so the gas per-load cost includes an electric allowance.
loads = loadsPerWeek × 52 × years
gasPerLoad = thermPerLoad × gasRate + 0.2 × elecRate
gasCost = gasPrice + gasInstall + loads × gasPerLoad
elecCost = elecPrice + elecInstall + loads × kwhPerLoad × elecRate
paybackYears = (gasPrice + gasInstall - elecPrice - elecInstall) /
((electricPerLoad - gasPerLoad) × loadsPerWeek × 52)Assumptions and Limits
The result assumes one average load size and constant utility rates for the whole comparison period. Vent length, sensor drying, fabric type and washer spin speed can change real kWh or therm use. Heat-pump electric dryers are not modeled as a separate appliance type, but you can enter their lower kWh per load manually.
Use Cases for Gas vs Electric Dryer Calculator
The Gas vs Electric Dryer Calculator is useful for:
- New laundry rooms — Decide whether a gas line is worth installing.
- Replacement decisions — Compare a cheaper electric dryer with a pricier gas model.
- Rental properties — Estimate utility exposure across frequent laundry use.
- Heat-pump comparisons — Enter lower kWh per load to test efficient electric options.
If payback is longer than the appliance warranty horizon, comfort, venting and installation simplicity may matter more than fuel price.