Should you select a gas or electric-powered clothes dryer?
All dryers are manufactured with basically the same inner workings.
There are, however, two ways to create the heat needed toefficiently dry clothes, gas or electricity.
The Spruce / Christopher Lee
Gas Dryers
Natural gas and propane gas dryers use a gas burner to create heat.
A fan blows hot air through avent, which then dries your clothes.
A blower heats and dispenses hot air to speed up the process.
Illustration: © The Spruce, 2018
There may be a significant difference in energy use over the long run between a gas and electric dryer.
Installation needs differ between gas and electric dryers.
Features
Gas Dryer
There are two options for gas-powered clothes dryers.
They can be fueled by either natural gas or liquid propane gas.
Gas dryers always need to be vented to the outside.
Some compact orportable electric dryersmay operate on a 110-volt current.
Most electric dryers need to be vented to the outside to expel moist, hot air.
There are a few priceyventless electric dryerson the market.
Repair and Maintenance
Any repairs on a gas dryer should be handled by a qualified repair professional.
Since this throw in of dryer runs on gas, there is a risk of a gas leak.
An electric dryer is easier to maintain if something goes wrong.
Sometimes it could be simply changing the belt on the dryer, clogged vents, or the thermostat.
If you’re handy and know general repairs you most likely can fix some of the issues yourself.
Electric dryers take longer to dry clothes because it takes more time to heat the elements.
Electric components also don’t run as hot as a gas burner.
However, costs depend on the gas rates in your area.
This also depends on the electric rates in your area.
A heat pump dryer is an alternative to the conventional gas or electric dryer.
Your local utility company must install any connections to underground natural gas lines.
Liquid propane is stored in a large tank on your property.
There are kits available to convert a natural gas dryer to a liquid propane dryer.
It is important to properly install a gas dryer to avoid any potential gas leaks.
It is highly recommended that a gas dryer beinstalled by a reputable technicianto avoid any problems.
An electric dryer can just be plugged into a 240-volt outlet.
An electric dryer has a large plug with three or four prongs to fit the outlet.
Cost
Most every dryer will come either as a gas or electric version.
That’s because the components for gas dryers are more expensive than those for electric dryers.
Electric dryersare less expensive to purchase than gas dryers.
However, a high-end electric dryer can sometimes cost the same as a high-end gas dryer.
Lifespan
The average life expectancy of a gas dryer is 13 years.
The life expectancy of an electric dryer is 14 years.
However, if allowed to accumulate indoors, it can pose a danger.
Electric dryers can catch fire if they overheat.
Don’t overload the dryer and see to it to clean the lint filter and dryer vents regularly.
Gas dryers will get clothes dry faster, while electric dryers require less maintenance.
Yes, you could replace a gas dryer with an electric dryer.
To do so, you’ll need to have a 240-volt electrical connection in your laundry room.
Yes, a gas dryer must be vented outside.
This routes the carbon monoxide out of the home and into the air.
Yes, gas dryers give off carbon monoxide.
Whether or not a gas dryer needs to be elevated depends on the installation location.
