What’s the Difference Between Gas and Electric Dryers?

Introduction

When your old dryer breaks, you can get it repaired by searching for “dryer repair near me”. If it’s too old or beyond repair, you need to buy a new dryer. Buying a new appliance can be difficult when you’re flooded with choices. However, with dryers, things may seem easy since there are two popular variants – gas dryers and electric dryers. Let’s check out what’s the difference between them:

The Differences

Cost – When it comes to the cost, a gas dryer will cost you more upfront. You have to spend around $100 or more compared to an electric dryer with similar capabilities. Moreover, you need to spend more on the installation fees as well since gas dryers need to be hooked to a gas connection and a vent.

However, in the long run, gas dryers may be more cost-effective due to their high energy efficiency. But it depends more on the utility rates of your area. For instance, if the cost of electricity is way cheaper compared to gas in your area, you may not be able to reap the benefits of a gas dryer’s high energy efficiency.

While buying a new dryer, check for the Energy Star rating and label on the dryer. The higher the rating, the more money it will save you on your power bill. Moreover, Energy Star certified dryers have labels with estimated utility costs and units of gas or electricity the appliance may consume. It tells you how much you may spend on the dryer every year. This can help you in the purchase decision.

With the estimated units of consumption, you can factor in the utility costs in your area and figure out how much you need to pay every month. So, even if the upfront cost of a gas dryer is higher, it may be cheaper to operate in the long run.

Working mechanism – Gas dryers have a gas burner to generate hot air, while the same is achieved by an electric dryer with the help of a heating element. The electricity travels through the coil of the heating element and the electrons heat up the metal and in turn the air.

The heated air generated in both the gas and electric dryer is blown into the spinning drum via a powerful fan. The hot air is then circulated inside the drum. The clothes and sheets inside the dryer are spun and tumbled to expose most of the fabric to the hot air and extract residual moisture.

Vents – Both electric dryers and gas dryers have a vent that connects to the outside. The vent is used to channel the moist and lint-filled air to the outside. Without the vent, your laundry room would be filled with fluff particles and would become a breeding ground for mold.

Moreover, gas dryers burn fossil fuel that creates poisonous carbon monoxide and all sorts of poisonous gases. The vent channels these gases along with the moist air outside into the environment. That’s why you have to clean and maintain gas dryers in optimum condition and check ventilation so that your home doesn’t get filled with those gases.

On the other hand, you can also buy electric dryers without a vent. Since there are no poisonous gases, the moist and lint-filed air can be condensed into a liquid and channeled into a tray. You need to dispose of the liquid every time you use the dryer.

You can also buy a ventless dryer that uses a heat pump instead of a condenser. These dryers use refrigerant-like compression technology to recirculate warm air and extract moisture from your clothes. They operate at a lower temperature than conventional dryers and hence are gentler on the fabric.

Maintenance cost – If you’re a skilled homeowner with a decent set of DIY skills and basic knowledge, you may be able to troubleshoot most types of operating problems in an electrical dryer. For instance, you can easily replace a worn-out drum belt, a faulty switch and even replace the heating element.

For gas dryers, it is very different. You need to hire the services of a technician qualified by The Technical Standards and Safety Authority(TSSA). This is required by law since gas dryers work with highly flammable fossil fuels that pose a risk of fire and explosive damage if handled without sufficient knowledge and expertise.

A typical service call for a TSSA certified technician would put you back around $75 to $125. That’s just the labor and service charge. You need to pay a separate fee for any necessary replacement parts. This also shows the different degrees of safety concerns with both dryers. Electric dryers are much safer to operate, and fix compared to gas dryers.

Repairs for both types of dryers are mostly free or for a nominal fee from the manufacturer till your dryer is within the warranty period. However, after that period is over, you have to spend a lot of money on maintenance if you own a gas dryer.

Operation time – Gas dryers burn fossil fuel to heat up the air. Fossil fuels are energy-dense and heat the air quickly as soon as you start burning the gas. Electric dryers don’t have that luxury. The heating element takes considerable time to heat up and the process is always going to be slower than heating air directly through the flame.

That’s why gas dryers are much faster than electric dryers. You’ll have your clothes and sheets come out faster from the gas dryer compared to an electric dryer. That means you spend more time in the laundry.

Conclusion

Now that you’re aware of all the major differences between gas dryers and electric dryers, you may have an easier time making your choice. If your old dryer is still energy efficient and can be repaired, you should get it fixed and save your money as well as the environment. Search for “dryer repair near me” on the internet to hire a repair technician near you.