Buying a Dryer: Natural Gas or Electric?

Natural gas dryers are more energy-efficient and cheaper to run because they only use a small amount of electricity to turn the drum and take less time per load. However, a few factors complicate whether a natural gas or electric dryer would fit your home better.

While our experts recommend a natural gas dryer for long-term cost-effectiveness, an electric dryer may be more convenient for some shoppers because it is cheaper to purchase and doesn’t require a gas line. Each option has its pros and cons depending on your priorities.

The power source is the main differentiating factor between natural gas and electric dryers. The best option depends on your home and budget — weigh these factors when comparing natural gas and electric dryers.

Natural gas dryer pros and cons

Gas dryers use natural gas or propane to heat air, and a fan circulates the hot air to dry your clothes. When purchasing a gas dryer, consider these pros and cons.

Electric dryers use electricity to heat coils inside the machine, which can take longer than heat from a gas burner. Here are some factors to consider if you are thinking about buying an electric dryer.

An electric dryer is cheaper to purchase than a gas dryer. However, there are some nuances to this answer. Dryers powered by natural gas use less electricity and dry clothes faster, meaning the cost to run each load is cheaper over time. Due to these factors, natural gas dryers have more potential for long-term savings if you can manage the higher upfront cost.

If you are wondering which option is the most environmentally friendly, the answer isn’t completely straightforward. An argument can be made for natural gas dryers because they use less energy and have a quicker run time. On the other hand, electric dryers have no emissions and can be powered by a renewable energy plan.

While the answer to this may vary slightly depending on your perspective, our energy experts recommend powering an electric dryer with a renewable energy plan for the most environmentally friendly option for your laundry.

Ultimately, the best dryer depends on your home and priorities. If your home already has a gas line, a natural gas dryer is a great opportunity to lower your electricity usage and save on long-term energy costs. However, if you don’t have a gas line, installing one and purchasing a gas dryer might not be worth it. An electric dryer is likely a better fit for your home in that scenario.

While electric dryers may cost more per load, they can run on renewable energy, which is a great opportunity to lower your home’s carbon footprint. Our experts recommend an electric dryer if your priority is the most environmentally friendly option. You can shop renewable energy plans on our marketplace to power large appliances and lower your carbon footprint.

Have more home energy questions? Choose Energy’s resources explain topics spanning deregulated energy, home energy savings, tips to lower your utility bills, and more. We also connect consumers with electricity plans on our free marketplace. Explore these additional resources:

• Calculate your power consumption
• What is energy deregulation?
• How to save energy and money at home
• How to reduce your electricity bill