Which is more cost effective to dry clothes, Electric or Natural Gas?

[a440]

It is so interesting to hear everyone's thoughts through examples and experience.
I really want a set up with a 50 pound washer and a dryer to match. Of course I don't want a electric dryer set up. I don't know if there is even such a thing for drying.
Looking around. Want used. I also have run the exact gas line size. So it is a matter of the correct time for the find.
I have looked at tons possible washers and dryers for my personal setup. Usually they are all very used! Very Used! I have seen machines eaten through from bleach and Dryers used till the gas manifold is gone. Amazing to see the cheap materials. Of course advertising them as "hardly used". Whatever.
Sometimes I do think to buy new. This would be an honest consideration from the manufacturer.
You know the rest of the story.
B

 

[e2l-arry]

Well tomorrow

It's supposed to be hot AND dry here in Denver. I plan on 2 weeks worth of laundry tomorrow through the Maytag E2LP, (1964 so 50 this year!)and hang everything out.

In Denver the power company, Excel Energy, raises the rates to almost double if you go over 500 kWh in a month. In the HOT months, even a few days with Central Air will put you over 500. So in those hot weeks I don't use the electric stove or electric dryer. The cooking is done on a charcoal Weber grill and microwave oven. The clothes are done OLD SCHOOL. Conventional Washer and clothes line. I can certainly afford the utility costs but I like to eliminate profits to the power companies when I can. Same with the U.S. Post Office. "Short, May Their (remaining) Reign BE!"

 

[e2l-arry]

Here's the cheapest way to dry!

 

[ovrphil]

Reply 32 above

If that stand provides sturdy support, you're lucky - can you use it if it's a little windy? Ours is a late 40's early 50's model, that doesn't have a stand; the post slides over a shorter pole, secured in the ground with cement.
Yours looks much light and easier to maneuver, so that's why I wonder about the wind effects. Nice job on pinning up the laundry!

 

[e2l-arry]

Wind isn't a problem

This has a cement base and weighs a ton! It' s actually difficult to move but wind won't knock it over, which is why I bought it. A regular table umbrella stand DID fall over in the wind. But not this heavy duty stand. I found it at Costco. And in 2 years, it's never fallen over, even in a strong wind.

They do come with instructions on how to plant them into the ground in cement. But this was easier for me and it works. It really works well but like I said earlier, you have to get good, quality brand. The first one I bought from Home Depot broke within the first month. This one I got from Amazon. The brand name is Brabantia. European. But it holds 8 loads of wet clothes washed in wringer washer that leaves clothes wet and heavy. I really like it.

 

[nmassman44]

I have that same clothesline...love it. I agree the cheapest way to dry laundry is on the line. It's free, can't beat that! That said I have both gas and an electric dryer and here our gas isn't cheap nor is electricity so for me it's a wash. The GE Profile dryer that I have does a fantastic job drying and that's electric. The sensors are spot on and doesn't take long to dry a load. The Frigidaire built GE piggy back dryer that I have is gas and it does ok, but I find it can get carried away and easily over dry a load when the temp is set at Regular. On Low temp it works very well since it uses the thermostats to sense the dryness of the clothes. I know that this dryer is a fire hazard since some have had issues with them.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Seems as though the way gas is widely used, it would have the edge in energy consumption--and performance--over electric... Much like how compressed air is used to run a jackhammer...

But as for servicing and repairs, would electrics be more simple, needing only a basic heating element, or would gas dryers be almost as simple, if you can diagnose what components for the drying, and that need replacing or repairs? Which is more true?

-- Dave

 

[tolivac]

Actually---Compressed tools are cool-but inefficient!!!!Air powered tools are being replaced by yes--electric ones and hydraulic ones.An example--Black& Decker used to make an air powered circular saw-2Hp---BUT----you needed a 20Hp compressor@100PSI to run it.An electric 2 hp circular saw draws only 12A at 120V.An air powered drill with a half hp motor needs a 5 Hp compressor to run it.So for most applications involving rotary tools--electric ones are more efficient--and cheaper.For the air ones not only the compressor but also hoses and lubricant.Used to sell and work on these.Nail guns,though,make excellent use of air power.Beats swinging a hammer.

 

[beekeyknee]

Oh dear, not this again. There was a similar discussion this time last year and it had to be moved to "Dirty Laundry". Let's not go down that path again.

 

[ovrphil]

the path

The clothes dried long ago, while the conversation between the lines, over the flames and under current flaps on. At aw.org, you get a good wringing and extended drying.

 

[passatdoc]

line drying

All of my clothes for work are office casual (khakis with button down dress shirts) with wrinkle-free finish from LL Bean. 20 minutes in the gas dryer and they're done, just hang them up and they look as if they were professionally laundered. Line drying would result in wrinkles and ironing. I've never checked to see how much electricity my iron consumes, but thanks to wrinkle-free finishes my ironing has been reduced to nearly zero. The energy costs of running the gas dryer for 20-25 minutes, over the zero cost of line drying, have to weighed against the energy cost of running the iron for an hour or more. I could see line drying heavy things like towels, which take longer (45-50) to gas dry, since wrinkles are not an issue.

When I bought my present home in 1988, San Diego Gas & Electric (which, despite the name, provides electricity but not gas to southern Orange County; in San Diego County it provides gas and electricity) sent an energy saving guide as a bill insert. By the time it arrived, I had already bought new appliances, but the leaflet said that it cost 25 cents to dry a load of laundry with gas, vs $1.00 with electricity; the calculation included the electricity consumed by a gas dryer's motor. We pay currently about 65-75 cents per "therm" and close to 15 cents per KWh (dividing bill by KWHr used, this factors in taxes, fees, fixed distribution costs). I don't know if it's still four times more costly to dry with electricity here, but it can't be cheaper.

In the mid-1990s, the neighboring city of San Clemente outlawed 240V outlets in laundry areas in new construction, leaving gas as the only option. THe rationale was that SDGE was struggling to keep up with generating capacity for a growing population, whereas there was no shortage of gas. My 1988 home, not in San Clemente, does have a never-used single phase 240V outlet.

 

[yogitunes]

for many areas, and as mentioned HOA's, line drying is not even allowed, not to mention optional.....

hanging a car mat over your fence while washing your car will yield you a 25.00 fine....been there....

side note, this same location did not have central air, and A/C's or fans in the windows were not allowed either....wish they had these portables available back then, but they might have complained about the vent in the window just the same...

I didn't stay there long!.....