Gas vs Electric Dryer Calculator (running cost per load & per year)

Understanding the gas vs electric dryer cost calculator — concept and principle

This calculator compares the yearly running cost of an electric and a gas clothes dryer from their efficiency ratings, your laundry habits and your energy prices. Use it when choosing a new dryer or deciding whether a gas line is worth installing.

Cost per load, two dryers: with the default inputs the result is $56.55 a year (saved with gas, 260 loads).

How it is calculated

Load weight in lb (kg × 1,000 ÷ 453.59237).
Electric dryer: kWh per load = load ÷ CEF.
Gas dryer: total energy per load = load ÷ CEF (kWh-equivalent); minus its own electricity use for the drum and fan; the rest is gas: therms = (load ÷ CEF − electric kWh) × 3,412 ÷ 100,000.
Cost per load = energy × price; loads per year = loads per week × 52.
Yearly saving with gas = (electric cost − gas cost) × loads per year.

The principle

ENERGY STAR rates dryers by the combined energy factor (CEF): pounds of laundry dried per kWh of energy, with gas converted at 3,412 BTU per kWh. Dividing the load by CEF gives the energy per load for either type. An electric dryer takes all of it as electricity. A gas dryer burns gas for heat but still needs some electricity to turn the drum and run the fan. Gas is often cheaper per unit of heat than electricity, so a gas dryer can cost less to run even though its CEF is lower.

Worked example

Default inputs: 5 loads a week, 8.45 lb per load, electric CEF 3.93, gas CEF 3.48, gas dryer uses 0.2 kWh per load, electricity $0.17/kWh, gas $1.50/therm.

Electric: 8.45 ÷ 3.93 = 2.15 kWh; cost = 2.15 × 0.17 = $0.37 per load.
Gas: 8.45 ÷ 3.48 − 0.2 = 2.228 kWh-equivalent × 0.03412 = 0.076 therms; cost = 0.076 × 1.50 + 0.2 × 0.17 = $0.15 per load.
Loads per year = 5 × 52 = 260.
Electric = 0.3655 × 260 = $95.04; gas = 0.148 × 260 = $38.49.
Saving with gas = $56.55 a year.

Each point is the calculator re-run with only “Electric dryer efficiency, CEF (lb/kWh)” changed; the gold point is the default example. Change the inputs above and this chart follows your numbers.

Electric dryer efficiency, CEF (lb/kWh)	Yearly saving with gas
0.983	$341.65
1.97	$151.58
2.95	$88.22
3.93	$56.55
4.91	$37.54
5.89	$24.87
7.86	$9.03

How to read the result

A positive saving means the gas dryer is cheaper to run at your prices; a negative one means electric is. Weigh the saving against the price difference between models and the cost of a gas connection and venting. A heat-pump electric dryer, with a much higher CEF, can change the answer, so enter its rating if you are considering one.

Common mistakes

Comparing models using their old energy-factor (EF) ratings instead of CEF.
Using a price per kWh that leaves out delivery charges.
Forgetting the gas dryer's own electricity.
Overloading or underloading the drum, which changes real energy use.

Keep in mind: The ENERGY STAR test uses a standard load and moisture. Real costs depend on how wet clothes are after spinning; this is an estimate, not financial advice.

Frequently asked questions

Is a gas dryer cheaper to run than electric?

Often, where gas is cheap per unit of heat; at the default prices it saves about $57 a year.

What is CEF for dryers?

The combined energy factor: pounds of laundry dried per kWh of total energy.

How can I cut drying costs?

Use a faster final spin in the washer, clean the lint filter and dry full loads.

Sources: ENERGY STAR, Clothes Dryers Key Product Criteria (CEF definition and minimums) · US EIA, Energy Explained (1 kWh = 3,412 Btu; 1 therm = 100,000 Btu)

Checked 9 Nov 2026. ENERGY STAR Clothes Dryers Key Product Criteria (CEF = test load ÷ energy per cycle in lb/kWh; minimum 3.93 for standard vented or ventless electric, 3.48 for vented gas; test load 8.45 lb for standard dryers); 1 kWh = 3,412 Btu, 1 therm = 100,000 Btu (standard values). Prices and the gas dryer’s electricity use are example values.

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