Hello there! I'm a home appliance expert with a focus on energy efficiency. When it comes to the cost of running a gas dryer for an hour, there are several factors to consider, including the type of dryer, its energy efficiency rating, the size of the load, and the cost of electricity in your area.

Firstly, it's important to distinguish between electric and gas dryers. The information provided pertains to electric dryers, which use electricity to heat the air that dries the clothes. Gas dryers, on the other hand, use natural gas or propane as a heat source. The cost of running a gas dryer is primarily determined by the cost of the gas used, not electricity.

The Saving Electricity website reports that the average electric dryer uses 3.3 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy per hour. If we take this as a benchmark, we can calculate the cost of running an electric dryer for an hour. However, for a gas dryer, we need to look at the gas consumption rate, which is typically measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour.

The average gas dryer might consume around 3,000 to 5,000 BTUs per hour. To convert BTUs to kilowatt hours, you can use the conversion factor where 1 kWh is approximately equal to 3,412 BTUs. So, if a gas dryer uses 4,000 BTUs per hour, it would be equivalent to about 1.17 kWh.

Now, let's consider the cost of electricity. The Saving Electricity website estimates an average of 11 cents per kWh. If we apply this rate to our gas dryer's equivalent electricity consumption, the cost for an hour of operation would be:

\[ \text{Cost} = \text{Energy Consumption (kWh)} \times \text{Cost per kWh} \]
\[ \text{Cost} = 1.17 \text{ kWh} \times 0.11 \text{ USD/kWh} \]
\[ \text{Cost} = 0.1287 \text{ USD} \]

However, this is just an approximation, as the actual cost will depend on the current gas rates in your area. Gas rates can vary significantly, and it's always best to check with your local utility company for the most accurate pricing.

It's also worth noting that the efficiency of the dryer can greatly affect the cost. Energy Star certified dryers are designed to be more efficient and can save you money in the long run. Additionally, the size of the load and the type of clothes being dried can impact the drying time and, consequently, the cost.

In summary, while the cost of running a gas dryer for an hour is primarily determined by the cost of gas, it's also influenced by the dryer's efficiency and the size of the load. To get a precise figure, you'll need to know the BTU consumption rate of your specific dryer, the current gas rates, and any additional costs associated with electricity if your dryer has an electric component.

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The --Saving Electricity-- website reports that the average dryer uses 3.3 kilowatt hours of energy and estimates an average of 11 cents per kilowatt hour. A small load of clothes takes about 45 minutes in the dryer, so the cost of that load is $0.36.Dec 10, 2013read more >>