There’s always a debatecat vs dog, coffee vs tea, and gas vs electric dryer.
The average American household does about 400 loads of laundry each year. All these clothes need to be dried.
The biggest difference between these two types of dryers is the power source. Here are some tips to help you settle your debate on electric or gas dryers and which is best for you.
Can I Choose Electric or Gas Dryers?
Before you go too far, you need to check your existing laundry hookup connection. It can be expensive to change the hookup from gas to electric and the reverse scenario. This means it may make more sense to stick with what you have.
Some laundry rooms have both options. If your home can support either option, then you can choose which type you want. If your home does not have any gas service (like your furnace) and you don’t want to pay for the installation process, then your only option is electric.
Cost
Gas dryers typically are more expensive, approximately $50 to $100 more than a similar electric model. This is because gas dryer components are more expensive.
If you are worried about the initial investment when choosing between a gas or electric dryer, electric dryers are better for your wallet.
Installation
As we mentioned above, if you do not have a gas connection, it is expensive to install the proper lines for natural gas. You can use liquid propane if you have a large tank on your property. Need a refill and in Texas? Check out propane refill Austin.
You can buy a kit to convert a natural gas dryer to a propane dryer. If you don’t have propane, you will also need someone to install a storage tank and gas lines.
Electric dryers plug directly into a 240-volt outlet. You will see a heavy-duty electric outlet in the laundry room. An electric dryer has a large plug with either three or four prongs to plug into the outlet, so make sure you have the right cords to fit your outlet.
As far as installation, electric dryers are definitely easier unless you already have a gas connection in place.
Wear and Tear
Gas dryers dry clothes quicker than electric dryers, so this means less time in the dryer. Natural gas dryers are typically more gentle on clothing because of this.
Electric dryers typically take longer to dry clothes. This is because it takes more time for the elements to heat up. Electric components also do not run as hot as gas burners.
Gas dryers can maximize drying time, so if you are worried about wear and tear on your clothing, you may want to consider gas.
When selecting a dryer, you should look for:
- Pilotless ignition (for gas)
- Automatic shutoff
- Electric sensors for drying
- Automatic cool-down cycle
You can also find dryers with timed intervals after a drying cycle to keep clothes tumbling to reduce wrinkles if you can’t pull them out immediately.
Energy Use
Gas dryers are typically cheaper to use than electric dryers over time, but that depends on the gas rates in your area. Generally, electric dryers cost about twice as much to dry a load than gas dryers.
There are other ways to save on running dryers. Make sure you buy an ENERGY STAR certified dryer to use about 20 percent less than conventional models.
Ready to Make Your Decision?
So, what is better electric or gas dryers? The answer is it depends on how much you are willing to spend on the initial investment and which connection you have. Over time, gas dryers may save you money, but they cost more than electric dryers.
Looking for more advice? Keep checking out our site for more tips in the Home section.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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