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

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Drying Costs

Hi Rick, your cost estimate is probably way off, A standard Coin-Op dryer still consumes about 6000 watts on low heat and drying sheets for 20 minutes probably means the heat was on full for 15-18 minutes if you took the clothing out about the time the clothing was dry.

Since the electric dryer is the big power user here the only way you can make an accurate calculation is to know exactly how much power you used to dry your load. I would [ Guess ] that you actually used about 4500 watts for 20 minutes.

John L.
 
Another

consideration............is how free flowing the exhaust vent system is. This is a major contributing factor. Have had both and don't recall any significant difference in drying results or time.

..L.P.
 
Would LOVE to use my clothesline--BUT--TOO HUMID-esp this time of year-bugs,squirrels,tree sap,and birds,neighbors dogs.So--- its my electric dryer.Don't let it run any more than I need it-half hour usually does the trick.-2 loads.Don't think that is going to break the bank or cause the planet to collapse.A neighbor several houses from me-has their clothesline better located-no trees,and in an area that gets lots of sun and breezes.My line is sorrounded by trees.so the sun,wind is blocked-and tree sap.
 
Yes John, the dryer estimate was stingy. But the point was how almost zero cost of highspeed spin cancels much more expensive dryer time. Not how much dryers actually cost.

A shocking number of homeowner associations outlaw line drying. Less shocking perhaps that most HOAs are comprised of busybody control freaks with tihs for brains. Who else would care what you did in your fenced backyard other than testing explosives and raising skunks?
 
I don't want to burst anyone's bubbles here, but please keep in mind the difference between vintage and modern machines.

Vintage machines were often equipped with gas burners of 24,000 BTU/h or more (gas), and 4,500W heating elements (electric), because back then the controllers were just a timer and thermostats. Finishing as fast as possible was the goal, particularly with spin speeds on the low side for most washers.

Modern dryers often have 5,200W heating elements and gas burners of 22,000 BTH/h or less (some are being equipped with 16,000 BTU/h burners). Mostly, now that the controllers include a moisture sensor, both dryers use the same controller and the gas burners are tuned to work well with the moisture sensor, so it's about as fast to use an electric or gas dryer.

People who live in areas with hydroelectric power plants may find that electric dryers can be more economical than gas. People with thermoelectric power plants will probably pay less for gas.

The other consideration is that electric dryers provide a neutral atmosphere -- the air is just warmed up. Gas dryers provide a reducing atmosphere, because oxygen is removed from the air to burn the gas, and the combustion by-products are then circulated inside the drum. Most people don't find any problem with that, but some fabrics do not do well with reducing atmosphere and won't last as long as possible, because most fabrics are in fact more resistant to oxidizers (like chlorine bleach, perborates and percarbonates) which are routinely used for laundry.

I must say that most of the above is only important to us, who like to talk about details -- in practice most people don't notice any difference between gas and electric dryers and, if they do, it has more to do with cost per load than anything else. And even there, the cost per load will vary with the price of utilities.
 
Vintage Gas&Electric Dryers Vs Current designs

Have not changed much, vintage electric models usually had at least 4800 watt MT HOH ] elements and most brands had 5000-5400 watts and virtually every WP-KM had 5600 watts. Now every full sized dryer in the US has 5000-5400 [ 5400 for all WP products ] watt elements.

Some vintage gas dryers did have higher BTU burners at one time, but even back in the 50s and 60s the majority of brands only had 18,000 BTUs. Today most dryers are 20,000 BTUs, SQ is 22,500 and I am aware of no current full sized dryers that are less than 20,000 BTUs.

Interesting thoughts about there being less oxygen inside a running gas dryer and although the oxygen reduction is very minimal [ a person would have no trouble breathing inside a gas dryer ] I would think that if anything the lack of oxygen would make natural fibers like cotton last longer as they will not deteriorate as fast in a reduced oxygen environment.
 
In the eastern part of Canada, most houses don't have access to natural gas. Both natural gas (where it's available) and propane are more expensive than in the United States and electricity is cheaper than it is in most states.  Most of our electricity is produced with hydraulic power.

 

So the ratio of electric/vs gas dryers is very different here. In fact, I don't know anybody who owns a gas dryer here!

 

My '65 Rapidry washer is finishing it's final spin while I'm typing this, I'll need to go out and hang my wrinkled clothes outside! Running them in the Filtrator dryer that I got from John me would help getting the wrinkles off but I don't care much about that!
 
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
 
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!"
 
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! :-)
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 

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