Need the help of ya'll

[re563]

I'm getting ready to build a new house. I have been to the builder and have modifed their floor plan and will have one very nice large (8x10) Laudryroom. However, here comes the delemia.

There will be a gas tank for a gas range and a tankless hotwater heater. The builder has suggested that I also consider getting a gas dryer. Based on some preliminary figures, It looks like the gas dryer will be cheaper to operate, but, I can't decide which to get because, should I want to change out dryers (like when I get some classic appliances to play with) I don't want to have to call the gas plumber everytime. The other option is to not get any Classic dryers to start my collection and just change out washers when I want to play. I guess the bottomline question is, (those that have had both) is the gas dryer better or should I stick with electric??

 

[peterh770]

Gas is better, and you really don't need a plumber to connect it up. When the gas line is installed, it should have a simple gas valve at the dryer end. You buy a flexible gas line at Home Depot, connect it to the tap and to the dryer, turn the gas on, and check for leaks at the connection points with some water and dish detergent (it will bubble if there are leaks).

 

[tomturbomatic]

Why don't you have a 230 line run to the laundry room in an area where you would have room for a dryer or maybe next to your dryer? Most of the older dryers you find will be electric. Any gas dryers you find will have to be checked for (or converted to) a propane orifice before you can use them. Use the propane dryer during the summer when power rates are higher. In the winter you can use the electric dryer vented through a heavy over the calf athletic sock. You will enjoy the heat, use power when it might be cheaper than propane and have the flexibility to go with electric drying if propane goes out of sight pricewise. I would also run a 230 volt line to the stove area in case a future owner prefers electric cooking.

 

[magic clean]

Robert, gas appliances are very few and far between in Florida. However, during the past decade or so, many new developments have had natural gas brought in and the claimed attributes marketed heavily. In my old neighborhood straddling the Manatee & Sarasota county line, gas was initially installed. Due to the recent extreme run up in gas prices, many homeowners with older homes (6-10 years) are converting gas furnaces, water heaters and dryers back to electric. New construction homes have the option of all electric. Electric rates from TECO & FPL generally are about .09 per KWH on the west coast.

O.K., after all that hot air, having both utility supplies gives you options.

 

[maytagbear]

As for performance-

a properly installed, properly functioning dryer of either fuel will perform just fine.

The differences in performance are minimal. Some gas dryers I have used might have been no more than 4-5 minutes faster than the same model dryer in electric.
And vice versa!

That being said, I have only owned gas dryers. I have used electric dryers once in a while.

If I were in my own place, instead of a rental, I would have connections for both.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[re563]

Thanks for the responses so far--very good points made. I probably should have also stated that I'm pretty sure that my daily driver is goint to be the whirlpool duet sport. Unless ya'll have a better recommendation.

 

[easyspindry]

I have had gas dryers only. They work great -- and, generally, there is no static electricity with a gas dryer.

You'd be wise to prepare for both. Since you're building anyway, it can't be that much more expensive.

I had a Whilrpool Duet set and was never very satisfied with the dryer. But I don't know that electric would have been any better.

I now have a Fisher & Paykel set with the top load dryer, and it's the best dryer I've ever had. Quiet and fast.

The other dryers I've owned are Whirlpool, Maytag, and Sears -- all gas.

Good luck.

Jerry Gay

 

[whirlcool]

It is not at all expensive to run additional electrical lines in a house if you plan it before it's built. I would put in 2 240V lines in the laundry area and also run a gas line in there as well.(In case you ever want a vintage Miele) In the kitchen, I would also install a 240V 30Amp line along with a gas line too. Doing this, you would have maximum flexibility on what you can install in the way of appliances.
And don't forget the CAT5 wiring for multi media entertainment and computer networking. I have known some contractors that will install it very cheaply if you provide the cable while the home is being wired.

 

[danemodsandy]

Yep, run both gas and 220 to both kitchen and laundry. It costs next to nothing while you're building, but it's unbelievably expensive in existing construction. It'll be a great selling point, especially nowadays when either gas or electric prices can spike so high. If a prospective buyer doesn't like one- or its price- they can switch to the other at minimal cost.

And so can you.

 

[oxydolfan1]

Expect RIDICULOUS price fluctuations in the coming year.

I have gas, but have been thinking about bringing in a supplementary electric portable and have already reinstalled parallel lines in my basement, in addition to a few better-quality foldable drying racks.

Against this very unpredictable backdrop, installing both lines while it is convenient and inexpensive to do so would seem prudent.

 

[danemodsandy]

Yeah, remember when utilities were regulated for the public good, instead of deregulated so that sub-human weasels could get rich by shutting down generation to manipulate prices?

We have deregulated gas here in Georgia, and it has been a nightmare. If anyone tries to deregulate electric, they're likely to see a mob with torches and pitchforks show up outside their office...

 

[danemodsandy]

Yeah, remember when utilities were regulated for the public good, instead of deregulated so that sub-human weasels could get rich by shutting down generation to manipulate prices?

We have deregulated gas here in Georgia, and it has been a nightmare. If anyone tries to deregulate electric, they're likely to see a mob with torches and pitchforks show up outside their office...

 

[re563]

Thanks everyone for your help. I am meeting with the builder again today and will do the both for kitchen and laundryroom. Makes alot of sense to me. Actually, the more I think about it, it's more like common sence to do both. Guess I was just getting to excited and overwhelmed with all the choices and no-cost extras that I have to choose from.

Thanks again for all of your help!!!