Besides washers, another very useful home appliance is a clothes dryer. It helps to remove moisture from washed clothes. The two main types of dryers available on the US market today are gas and electric dryers. Its good to know the differences between a gas vs electric dryer to be able to make an informed choice on which is right for you and your home.
While most people just pick the one that matches their utility hookup, it’s always best to know which dryer type fits your needs.
How Does A Gas Dryer Work?
A gas dryer works in a way that a gas burner produces heat, using a 120V electric supply as well. There is a fan and drum that tumble your clothes that still require electricity on a gas dryer.
By combining gas burning and electricity, Carbon monoxide is produced. This is why a licensed plumber must be hired to hook up a gas dryer. The harmful gas is sent away from inside your home, through vents or using a suitable HVAC ventilation system. The gas connections must be fitted carefully to ensure no gas leaks from the dryer. A licensed plumber installs a gas dryer securely with professional tools and knowledge.
A detailed explanation of how a gas dryer works can be found at this link: How does a gas dryer work? Now, let’s continue on comparing gas vs. electric dryers.
A typical gas dryer could cost about $100 more than an electric dryer within the same specifications. However, propane or natural gas costs less than electricity, making gas dryers cheaper in the long run. If you don’t have gas lines in your home, try to calculate if its worth going with a gas dryer. On the other end, if you already have a gas installed, this type of dryer should be your first choice.
Good about using a gas dryer
- Use fewer utility costs
- Reduce energy wastage and are better for the environment
- Reduce the risk of damaging your clothes
- Do not need grounding like some electric dryers
- Some use moisture sensors to determine how fast garments are drying
Not so good
- More expensive to purchase
- Higher installation costs (especially if you don’t have a gas installation in your home)
- Improperly fitted gas lines can pose a potential fire hazard.
How Does An Electric Dryer Work?
An electric dryer uses a coil to generate heat. Another electric part inside is a fan that circulates the heat around the rotating drum as the clothes tumble. Electric dryers typically require 240V of electric output to generate enough heat and to tumble garments. They do consume more electric energy, but gas consumption is zero.
These electric dryers are more common than gas dryers because most homes have electric power. That isn’t the only reason, for example, some people just don’t like gas, and they want the whole household to be on electricity. Electric dryers have a longer life expectancy.
If you choose to buy an electric dryer, you can pay less, but electricity would leverage that difference through the time of using the dryer. Continue reading, and find out the major differences between a gas vs electric dryer.
The Good About Using An Electric Dryer
- Easy and cheaper to install
- Available in different styles and models
- Do not require a utility hookup to operate
- Easier and cheaper to repair
- Install almost anywhere
The Not So Good
- Pose a risk of fire or electrocution where there’s faulty wiring
- Can cost more to operate where gas is cheaper than electricity
Final Words
Gas dryers could be a better choice comparing them to electric dryers because they cost less to run, are more efficient, and cause less harm to the environment.
However, not every home has a gas supply. Electric dryers are ideal where the only power connection is electricity. They also match the cost savings if the owner plans to stay at the home for more than 5 years.
We hope that you understand all the differences between gas vs electric dryer models. With that in mind, you can choose a dryer with a design suitable for your daily use.
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