How to Compare Gas and Electric Dryers

Your laundry hookup may determine the type of dryer you purchase.

Gas and electric dryers use an electric drum powered by an electric motor to dry damp clothes. The only difference in the way the machines operate is how each generates the heat. Electric dryers produce heat from electric coils, while gas dryers use gas burners. Each type of dryer has some advantages over the other but, ultimately, your decision may rest on the type of laundry hookup you already have.

Instructions

1. Examine the initial investment. According to the California Energy Commission, gas dryers cost about $50 more than comparable electric dryers. Also compare the additional cost of installing each dryer. A gas dryer needs gas hookups and ventilation, while an electric dryer needs a dedicated 240V outlet. It is necessary to have a professional install these items if they are not already available in the house.

2. Consider the cost per use of gas and electric dryers. The California Energy Commission states that it costs about 30 to 40 cents to dry a load of laundry in an electric dryer but it costs about 15 to 20 cents to dry the same load in a gas dryer.

3. Compare the amount of energy that gas and electric dryers use. The energy factor for an electric dryer is 3.01 per kilowatt-hour while that of a gas dryer is 2.67.

4. Check the drying time. Gas dryers dry a load of laundry faster than comparable electric dryers. This is because gas dryers operate at a hotter setting and, unlike electric dryers, they do not need time to reach the selected heat setting. This may mean less time spent doing laundry, but the higher heat may cause fabrics to shrink.

References

• California Energy Commission