Gas or Electric?
I am often asked when showing homes whether it allows for GAS or ELECTRIC washer & dryers and I wanted to share the difference between the two.
GAS:
- Gas dryer operates on both 110 electricity and natural gas.
- Has a flexible gas line connected behind or around their dryer and also plugged into the wall with a 110 outlet.
ELECTRIC:
- Works off of 240-volt outlet that can either be a 3-prong or 4-prong.
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According to Sears.com, “Both types deliver comparable performance: both do a great job of drying your clothes, and both come in a variety of capacities with a range of special functions. The main differences are related to installation, cost, drying speed and energy efficiency.”
Sears has also shared advantages and disadvantages of both below:
Advantages of gas dryers
- Less Expensive Upkeep- Gas Dryers are usually a bit less expensive to operate than electric dryers, although this depends on the cost of gas and electricity in your area.
- Faster- Gas dryers heat up and dry your clothes faster than electric dryers do, making them a little more energy efficient and gentle on fabrics.
Limitations of gas dryers
Vent Required - All gas dryers require a vent to the outside.
- More Expensive Initially- Gas dryers tend to be a little more expensive than comparable electric dryers.
- Gas Line Required- Gas dryers require a dedicated gas line that must be professionally installed.
VS.
Advantages of electric dryers
- No Gas Line Required- Electric dryers do not require a gas line.
- Vent-less Models- Some electric dryers do not need to be vented to the outside, making electric your only choice if you can't vent your dryer.
- Less Expensive Initially - Electric dryers tend to be a little cheaper than comparable gas dryers.
Limitations of electric dryers
- More Expensive Upkeep - Though it depends on the energy costs in your area, electric dryers are typically a little more expensive to operate than gas dryers.
- 240 V Outlet Required- Most electric dryers require a 240 V outlet, which most laundry rooms will have. If yours doesn't, however, you'll need to use a converter or hire an electrician. A typical wall outlet in the United States is 120 V.
- Slower- Electric dryers tend to heat up more slowly and take longer to dry your clothes than gas dryers do, which means that electric dryers use more energy.
Source: http://www.sears.com/articles/appliances/washers-dryers/gas-vs-electric-dryers.html
Photo Credit: Ashley Winn Design