Quick answer: An electric dryer runs entirely on electricity and needs a dedicated 240-volt outlet. A gas dryer uses a gas line to produce heat but still needs a standard electrical outlet for the drum, fan, and controls. Gas dryers usually cost a bit more up front and need professional installation, but they dry faster and cost less per load to run. Need the hookup done right? Find a local pro free on Qiggz.
Standing in the appliance aisle, the gas versus electric dryer question can feel bigger than it should. The two machines look almost identical and do the same job. The real differences hide behind the wall: what hookup your laundry room already has, what it costs to add the one it lacks, and which fuel is cheaper where you live.
Get the hookup right and either dryer serves you well for years. Get it wrong and you are paying an electrician or a plumber before you have dried a single towel. This guide explains how each type works, compares them side by side, and helps you choose based on your home. Costs vary by region and by what is already installed, so we flag where to get a real local quote.
How an electric dryer works
An electric dryer does everything with electricity. A heating element warms the air, and the same power runs the drum and blower. Because the element draws a lot of power, an electric dryer requires a dedicated 240-volt outlet, not the standard 120-volt outlet that most household items use.
That higher-voltage requirement is the single most important thing to check before you buy. If your laundry area already has a 240-volt dryer outlet, an electric dryer is close to plug and play. If not, you will need an electrician to add the proper circuit and outlet.
How a gas dryer works
A gas dryer uses a gas burner, fueled by natural gas or propane, to heat the air. Even so, it still needs electricity for the parts that do not make heat: the motor, the blower, and the controls. So a gas dryer needs two connections, a gas line and a standard electrical outlet.
Because of the gas line, installation is more involved. Bob Vila notes that a gas dryer "requires a licensed plumber" to connect safely and that gas units are limited to spots near a gas line. The upside shows up in performance and running cost, covered below.
Gas vs electric dryer: side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Gas dryer | Electric dryer |
|---|---|---|
| Heat source | Gas burner (natural gas or propane) | Electric heating element |
| Hookup needed | Gas line plus a standard 120V outlet | Dedicated 240V outlet |
| Who should install | Licensed plumber or qualified pro for the gas line | Electrician if a 240V circuit is needed |
| Upfront price | Usually a bit higher (often about $100 more for the same style, per Bob Vila) | Usually a bit lower |
| Operating cost per load | About 15 to 25 cents (Bob Vila) | About 30 to 40 cents (Bob Vila) |
| Drying speed | Faster; dries in about half the time of an electric dryer (Bob Vila) | Slower to heat up |
| DIY friendliness | Lower; gas work needs a pro | Higher, if a 240V outlet already exists |
| Where it shines | Homes with an existing gas hookup; heavy laundry volume | Homes without a gas line; lighter or simpler installs |
Figures here come from Bob Vila and are national reference points. Your actual costs depend on local gas and electricity rates and on what is already plumbed and wired in your laundry room.
Which should you choose?
The smartest way to decide is to start with what your home already has, then factor in how much laundry you do.
Choose an electric dryer if your laundry area has no gas line, or you would rather not add one. Electric dryers usually cost a little less to buy, and if you already have a 240-volt outlet the installation is simple. They are also the only option for ventless models. Electric is the path of least resistance for homes not already plumbed for gas.
Choose a gas dryer if you already have a gas hookup, or you run a lot of laundry. Gas dryers dry in roughly half the time and cost less per load, so a busy household tends to come out ahead over the life of the machine even though the dryer costs a bit more and needs professional installation.
Watch the installation math. The deciding factor is often what you do not have. Adding a 240-volt circuit for an electric dryer, or running a new gas line for a gas dryer, can change the total cost meaningfully. Before switching fuel types, get a quote for the hookup you would need. Sometimes the cheaper dryer becomes the more expensive project once installation is included.
A note on cost
There are three numbers to keep separate: the price of the dryer, the cost to install or add the right hookup, and the cost to run it.
On the dryer itself, gas models usually run a little higher than comparable electric ones. Bob Vila puts the gap at roughly "$100 more than electric dryers of the same style." On operating cost, the same source estimates gas at about 15 to 25 cents per load versus about 30 to 40 cents for electric, which is why gas often wins for high-volume households over time.
Installation is the wild card and the part most worth pricing locally. If you need to add a 240-volt circuit for an electric dryer, or run gas line for a gas dryer, those costs vary by region and by how far the new line has to travel. HomeGuide puts adding a new 240-volt outlet and circuit at roughly $250 to $800. Angi puts running a gas line for a dryer at roughly $260 to $800. Prices vary by region, materials, and scope, so the reliable way to know yours is to get a local quote. When you post the job free on Qiggz, you can compare a few bids before you buy the dryer.
When to hire a pro
A dryer swap looks simple, and sometimes it is. But two parts of it call for a qualified professional, and one is a genuine safety matter.
- Always hire a pro for gas connections. Connecting a gas dryer means working with a gas line, a job for a licensed plumber or qualified gas technician, because a bad connection risks a leak. This is not a DIY task.
- Hire an electrician to add a 240-volt circuit. If your laundry area lacks a dedicated 240-volt outlet, a licensed electrician should install the circuit and outlet. Wiring a high-voltage circuit incorrectly is a fire and shock hazard.
- Consider a pro for venting. Proper venting matters for safety and performance. A handyman can run or correct a vent and make sure it exhausts outdoors.
- When you are switching fuel types. Going from electric to gas, or the reverse, almost always means adding a hookup. Get a pro to scope and price it before you buy.
Qiggz makes it easy to line up that help. Browse a local handyman or post your project to get matched. Posting is free, and because Qiggz charges no lead fees and takes no commission, the pros you message are not paying to reach you.
The bottom line
The gas versus electric dryer choice is really a question about your laundry room and your habits. Electric dryers cost a little less, need a 240-volt outlet, and suit homes without a gas line. Gas dryers cost a bit more and need professional, plumber-grade installation, but they dry faster and cost less per load, which pays off for households that do a lot of laundry. Start from the hookup you already have and add the running cost over time.
Whichever you pick, get the connection done safely. Find a local pro free on Qiggz to install your dryer or add the right hookup, with no lead fees and no commissions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a gas and electric dryer?
The difference is how they make heat. A gas dryer burns natural gas or propane and needs both a gas line and a standard electrical outlet. An electric dryer makes heat with an electric element and needs a dedicated 240-volt outlet. Gas dryers usually dry faster and cost less per load, while electric dryers typically cost a little less to buy.
Is a gas or electric dryer cheaper to run?
A gas dryer is usually cheaper per load. According to Bob Vila, a gas dryer costs roughly 15 to 25 cents per load to run, compared with about 30 to 40 cents for an electric dryer, though your local gas and electricity rates determine the real gap. Over many loads, the gas dryer's lower running cost can offset its higher purchase price.
Can I install a gas dryer myself?
You should not connect the gas line yourself. Bob Vila notes that a gas dryer "requires a licensed plumber" to hook up safely, because an improper gas connection can leak and is a safety hazard. You can position the dryer, but leave the gas connection and leak check to a qualified professional.
Do I need a special outlet for an electric dryer?
Yes. An electric dryer needs a dedicated 240-volt outlet, not the standard 120-volt household outlet. If your laundry area does not already have one, a licensed electrician should install the proper circuit and outlet before you use the dryer.
Which dries clothes faster, gas or electric?
Gas dryers are generally faster. Bob Vila reports that a gas dryer dries a load in "about half the time of an electric dryer," because the gas burner produces heat almost instantly while an electric element takes longer to warm up. Faster drying is part of why gas dryers appeal to high-volume households.
Sources
- Bob Vila, "Gas vs. Electric Dryer: Which Is Better?" (hookup requirements, gas dryer requires a licensed plumber, about $100 higher purchase price for gas, operating cost of about 15 to 25 cents per load for gas vs 30 to 40 cents for electric, gas dries in about half the time, ventless dryers are electric): bobvila.com/articles/gas-vs-electric-dryers.
- General hookup and difference framing (gas line plus 120V outlet for gas; dedicated 240V outlet for electric): Whirlpool, Gas vs. Electric Dryers.
- HomeGuide, "Cost to Install a 220V or 240V Outlet" (adding a new 240-volt outlet and circuit about $250 to $800): homeguide.com.
- Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Install a Gas Dryer?" (running a gas line for a dryer about $260 to $800): angi.com. Installation costs vary by region and distance, so confirm with a local quote.
- Qiggz "free to post, no lead fees, no commissions, local-matched pros": first-party (Qiggz product), see /find-pros and /about/qiggz.
