Comments on: Gas versus Electric dryers

By: SHEDERE

SHEDERE — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:09:49 +0000

I am looking into buying a new dryer. How much propane does it take to run a load of laundry. I would say 80% of my laundry is dried on delicate 10% on perm press and 10% heat.

By: j mann

j mann — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:29:09 +0000

Keep in mind that a gas dryer’s transfer of heat from combustion to dryer is probably around 80% efficient (like a modern non-condensing furnace). (I have not, however, ever seen this listed) Resistive heat (electric), while more expensive, always transfers energy with 100% efficiency (because there is no exhaust). So in a 22,000 BTU gas dryer, probably 4400 BTU goes out the exhaust.

By: Mela

Mela — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:31:48 +0000

I have a gas dryer and I am moving to an apartment complex where they do not use gas appliances. Can I convert my dryer? If so would it be worth it? My dryer is about 3 yrs old.

By: jim

jim — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:55:40 +0000

@Mary – in theory you can if you have the old components. Generally it’s not cost effective to convert it back. (You also want to consider the condition of the dryer – will it last long enough to offset the costs?)

By: jim

jim — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:54:24 +0000

Dave, I would figure on about $1/foot for the gas line (that may be low), installed by a plumber, typically. Next, figure out your savings over the estimated lifetime of the dryer. It becomes more expensive if you have to increase the size of the gas line from the street to accommodate multiple items (hot water heater, dryer, oven, house heater).

By: dave

dave — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:39:27 +0000

your insight so far has been really helpful… i would like to put in a gas line to be able to put in a gas dryer. do you think that would be worth it. are gas lines expensive to put in. we have gas in the house already.

By: Mary O'Neal

Mary O'Neal — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:11:24 +0000

I have a gas dryer that I converted from electric. I am moving and gas is not available there. Can I convert it back to electric?

By: jim

jim — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:21:52 +0000

Since both electric and gas dryers use electric motors to turn the drum, this wasn’t factored into the calculation.

By: mhoward

mhoward — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:13:26 +0000

Gentelman, lets not forget that the venting of these appliances, while similar in configuration, becomes much more important when installing a gas fired unit. The 4″ duct that each should be connected to must run to the exterior of your home. It must not be held together with screws or anything else that penetrates the inside of the duct so that lint will not collect inside.The fewer elbows you use to make the run the better the unit will operate and the faster your clothes will dry. While all these concerns are common to both types of units the biggest difference is that the products of combustion while using a gas fired unit must also pass thru this 4″ pipe to get to the exterior of the home. This also means that the space in which the dryer is located can effect its operation. Combustion air is required for the correct operation of the gas fired unit. A calculation of 50 cu.ft. per 1000 BTU of input can be figured to determine if the space provided for a dryer hook-up is adequate. Inproper venting or volume provided for combustion air can create carbon monoxide issues inside the home. An electric dryer can not produce carbon monoxide. Also, a gas dryer is still using electric (110) to the motor that turns the drum and to the motor that vents the exhaust.

By: Registered User

Registered User — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 00:33:22 +0000

Does the BTU conversion factor (1.056) adjust for this?

Also, I don’t think the combustion gases would flow through the dryer for the simple reason that this would create an internal source of carbon monoxide.