Gas Dryer Electricity Usage (load, month, year) 10 Common Models

Dryers are responsible for about 6% of household energy use, so we’re all after the most energy-efficient model available. In the dryer specs, you can find the amps, voltage, and wattage, but when it comes down to it, what we really want to know is how much electricity is used per load, month, and year.

This article walks you through calculating electricity use. Ultimately, most gas dryers have similar power draws. Other factors matter more for reducing electricity use, like the drying time, size, and frequency of your loads.

Out of 10 popular gas dryer models, almost all of them use about 491 kWh of electricity per year. One model had a lower range with a maximum of 491 kWh. Two models had higher ranges with a minimum of 491 kWh.

Contents show table of contents

Most Common Gas Dryer Models (2023)

We’ve identified the current 10 most popular gas dryers using reviews, home improvement magazines, and data from Home Depot and Lowes.

Nine of these models are standard-sized, but we feature one popular mega-capacity dryer for comparison.

Most of these are basic models cost $750-$950. We also include two Energy Star dryers and three smart dryers, which are popular among buyers with higher budgets.

Brand	Model
Maytag	MGD4500MW 7 cu. ft. Side Swing Door Gas Dryer
GE	GTD33GASK 7.2 cu. ft. White Gas Vented Dryer
Amana	NGD4655EW 6.5 cu. ft. Reversible Side Swing Door Gas Dryer
Samsung	DVG52A5500W 7.4 cu. ft. Smart Reversible Side Swing Door Steam Cycle Gas Dryer
Samsung	DVG45T3200W 7.2 cu. ft. Top Load Gas Dryer
Maytag	MGDC465HW 7.0 cu. ft. Large Capacity Top Load Dryer with Wrinkle Control
Whirlpool	WGD5000DW 7.0 cu. ft. Gas Dryer with AccuDry Sensor Drying System
LG	DLG3601V Smart Wi-Fi Enabled 7.4 cu. ft. Reversible Side Swing Door Gas Dryer (Energy Star)
Maytag	MGD7230HW Smart Capable 7.4 cu. ft. Gas Dryer with Steam and Hamper Door (Energy Star)
LG	DLGX8101V 9.0 cu. ft. Mega-Capacity Gas Dryer with Steam(™) Technology

If you’re interested in energy-efficient electric dryers, you can also look into ventless dryers.

Electrical Specs

You can’t always find the power rating under a “general specifications” section on the online page. Often you need to download the manual and look for an “Electric Rating” section.

In the case of Maytag, download a separate document titled “Dimensions Guide.”

You probably won’t find a power rating in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). Instead, look for the amperage. Watts = Amps x Volts. Gas dryers plug into a standard outlet, so their voltage is 120 V. Multiply the dryer’s amperage by 120 to get watts.

Next, we determine the power rating in kilowatts by dividing watts by 1000. 1 kW = 1000 W. For example, 1800 W / 1000 = 1.8 kW.

We convert to kW because electricity usage is typically discussed in kilowatt hours (kWh), which will allow us to talk about electricity used per load later on.

Brand	Model	Power rating (W)	Power rating (kW)
Maytag	MGD4500MW	1800	1.8
GE	GTD33GASK	720 – 1800	0.72 – 1.8
Amana	NGD4655EW	1800 – 2400	1.8-2.4
Samsung	DVG52A5500W	1800	1.8
Samsung	DVG45T3200W	1800	1.8
Maytag	MGDC465HW	1800	1.8
Whirlpool	WGD5000DW	1800 – 2400	1.8 – 2.4
LG	DLG3601V	1800	1.8
Maytag	MGD7230HW	1800	1.8
LG	DLGX8101V	1800	1.8

Electricity Used per Load

We can calculate how much electricity is used per load by thinking in terms of kilowatt hours (kWh). 1 kWh means that 1 kW (1000 W) is used over the course of 1 hour. So kilowatt hours = kilowatt power rating x time used (in hours).

Some dryer models list a very precise cycle time. For example, the Samsung DVG52A5500W supposedly takes 39 minutes while the Samsung DVG45T3200W takes 42 minutes.

I don’t use the cycle times provided by brands because they only differ by a few minutes. That difference is negligible when considering that cycle times vary based on fabric type, cycle chosen, if eco-mode is activated, etc.

Besides, consumers reviews sometimes dispute the cycle times listed on company websites.

The following calculations assume 45 minutes as the average cycle time for a standard-sized dryer.

So, because 45 minutes / 60 minutes = 0.75 hours, we need to multiply a dryer’s power rating (kW) times 0.75 hours to get electricity used per load (kWh).

The last dryer on the list, the LG DLGX8101V, is mega-capacity. Mega-capacity dryers have been proven to take over 1 hour for a full load on the normal cycle. As such, I use 75 minutes as the cycle time for LG DLGX8101V and 45 minutes as the cycle time for all other models.

If you want to calculate your specific dryer’s energy use, time how long one load takes on your machine.

Brand	Model	Power rating (W)	Power rating (kW)	Cycle time (hrs)	Electricity used per load (kWh)
Maytag	MGD4500MW	1800	1.8	0.75	1.35
GE	GTD33GASK	720 – 1800	0.72 – 1.8	0.75	0.54 – 1.35
Amana	NGD4655EW	1800 – 2400	1.8-2.4	0.75	1.35 – 1.8
Samsung	DVG52A5500W	1800	1.8	0.75	1.35
Samsung	DVG45T3200W	1800	1.8	0.75	1.35
Maytag	MGDC465HW	1800	1.8	0.75	1.35
Whirlpool	WGD5000DW	1800 – 2400	1.8 – 2.4	0.75	1.35 – 1.8
LG	DLG3601V	1800	1.8	0.75	1.35
Maytag	MGD7230HW	1800	1.8	0.75	1.35
LG	DLGX8101V	1800	1.8	1.25	2.25

Monthly Electrical Usage

To determine how much electricity a dryer will use per month, we need to estimate how many loads of laundry are done per month.

Water conservation studies by the US government and Greentech Canada estimate that the average North American family does six to eight loads of laundry per week.

That translates to 24-32 loads per month.

Average north American family laundry loads per week and month according to the water conservation studies by the US government and Greentech Canada

For the purposes of this article, let’s take the average of these numbers and assume that a family does 28 loads per month.

For the mega-capacity dryer (LG DLGX8101V), we’ll assume that you only run the cycle 16 times per month because reviewers report that mega-capacity dryers can fit almost two loads at once.

We can calculate electricity usage in kilowatt hours by multiplying electricity used per load by 28.

These numbers could vary based on location and time of year. The American Southwest does the most laundry, possibly because dry, dusty, or muddy conditions lead clothes to get dirty faster.

Additionally, in states with cold winters, families may have heavier loads in the winter due to bulky sweaters, blankets, and snow gear. Colder states also rely more on dryers because air-drying options like clotheslines are impossible for much of the year.

Culture and location make a difference too. When I lived in the UK, I got used to air-drying at least 30% of my clothes because I found that dryers in British households were smaller and less efficient. Americans typically air-dry only 10 % of their laundry.

Brand	Model	Power rating (W)	Power rating (kW)	Electricity used per load (kWh)	Monthly usage (kWh)
Maytag	MGD4500MW	1800	1.8	1.35	37.8
GE	GTD33GASK	720 – 1800	0.72 – 1.8	0.54 – 1.35	15.12 – 37.8
Amana	NGD4655EW	1800 – 2400	1.8-2.4	1.35 – 1.8	37.8 – 67.2
Samsung	DVG52A5500W	1800	1.8	1.35	37.8
Samsung	DVG45T3200W	1800	1.8	1.35	37.8
Maytag	MGDC465HW	1800	1.8	1.35	37.8
Whirlpool	WGD5000DW	1800 – 2400	1.8 – 2.4	1.35 – 1.8	37.8 – 67.2
LG	DLG3601V	1800	1.8	1.35	37.8
Maytag	MGD7230HW	1800	1.8	1.35	37.8
LG	DLGX8101V	1800	1.8	2.25	36

Electricity Used by Gas Dryers per Year

To calculate yearly usage, you can multiply monthly usage by 12 or weekly usage by 52. It’s more precise to multiply weekly usage by 52.

Since we assumed seven loads per week for a standard-sized dryer, calculate:

Electricity used per load (kWh) x 7 x 52 = yearly usage (kWh)

For the mega-capacity dryer, calculate:

Electricity used per load (kWh) x 4 x 52 = yearly usage (kWh)

Brand	Model	Power rating (W)	Power rating (kW)	Electricity used per load (kWh)	Monthly usage (kWh)	Yearly usage (kWh)
Maytag	MGD4500MW	1800	1.8	1.35	37.8	491.4
GE	GTD33GASK	720 – 1800	0.72 – 1.8	0.54 – 1.35	15.12 – 37.8	196.56 – 491.4
Amana	NGD4655EW	1800 – 2400	1.8-2.4	1.35 – 1.8	37.8 – 67.2	491.4 – 655.2
Samsung	DVG52A5500W	1800	1.8	1.35	37.8	491.4
Samsung	DVG45T3200W	1800	1.8	1.35	37.8	491.4
Maytag	MGDC465HW	1800	1.8	1.35	37.8	491.4
Whirlpool	WGD5000DW	1800 – 2400	1.8 – 2.4	1.35 – 1.8	37.8 – 67.2	491.4 – 655.2
LG	DLG3601V	1800	1.8	1.35	37.8	491.4
Maytag	MGD7230HW	1800	1.8	1.35	37.8	491.4
LG	DLGX8101V	1800	1.8	2.25	40.5	468

Most Energy-Efficient Model

Outlier Results

Power ratings are a good way to estimate electricity usage, but are not extremely precise. Manuals often err on the side of caution and list only the maximum power draw, when in reality the dryer draws a different amperage at different points in the cycle.

The dryers with the highest electricity usage (Amana and Whirlpool) are labeled as 15-20 amps. 20 amps is the maximum, so it’s likely that their actual electricity usage is in the lower range, closer to 491.4 kWh than 655.2 kWh.

This caveat explains why the GE GTD33GASK appears more efficient than the other models. Unlike other brands, the GE manual differentiates between 6 amps (720 watts) as an average power draw and 15 amps (1800 watts) as a maximum power draw.

Additionally, the GE GTD33GASK has an aluminum alloy drum, which transfers heat faster than other metals and makes it particularly efficient.

Inside of the white dryer with white towel inside

Energy Star?

Because we used power ratings, it’s hard to see the difference made by Energy Star technology. The Energy Star rated dryers (LG DLG3601V and Maytag MGD7230HW) appear no different than most other dryers because they almost all draw 15 amps (1800 watts).

In practice, you will see a bigger difference on your electricity bills if you have an Energy Star rated dryer. Still, it might only save you $10-20 .

Load Size and Frequency Matters

The mega-capacity dryer on this list appears more efficient than most standard-sized dryers.

There is no difference in the wattage of the mega-capacity vs. most standard dryers, so this result depends on the estimated cycle time and number of loads.

Even though a mega-capacity dryer can take over 1.5 times as long, it can dry up to twice as many clothes in one cycle.