Introduction
If your old dryer is not working properly, you may want to get it repaired by a technician by searching for “dryer repair near me”. If it’s very old and you were planning to replace it anyway then you may consider buying a new dryer. However, there are both gas and electric dryers and with the extensive features, making a choice may be difficult. Let’s check out the factors which may help you in your buying decision:
The Selection
- Upfront cost – When you’re considering a gas and an electric dryer of similar quality and features, the upfront cost for gas dryers would always be a couple of hundred dollars more than electric dryers. The cost gap isn’t as great when you buy high-end dryers that cost over $1000. However, electric dryers tend to be more expensive if you opt for a ventless dryer. The cost gap between vented and ventless dryers can be around $100 or more. When it comes to installation, the gas dryer will further drive up the cost if you need to have a gas line installed in your home. Moreover, it needs to be installed by a certified technician who charges a premium to ensure there are no gas leaks. On the other hand, you can plug in your electric dryer in any 240-volt outlet, and it will be functional. So, when it comes to the upfront cost, gas dryers tend to be more expensive.
- Operational cost and maintenance – While a gas dryer will cost you more upfront, the operational costs are usually lower than an electric dryer. Since gas dryers are heated by a gas type fuel, it has shorter load times and will use much less electricity. Typical electric dryers would cost you over $100 per year to operate while a gas dryer would cost you way less than that amount on your annual utility bill. However, if you have solar panels on your property an electric dryer would cost you less. If you are moving to Texas, a great way to reduce your electricity bill is to select between the most trusted and affordable energy providers which can directly impact positively on your monthly savings.
When it comes to maintenance, gas dryers would cost you more than electric dryers since you need to call a certified technician to get them serviced. If you bring in a non-certified technician, you run the risk of gas leakage. This problem isn’t for electric dryers since a relatively tech-savvy homeowner can do the maintenance themselves. While you can also bring in a technician for repairing your electric dryers, you can always choose to educate yourself on the servicing and save some money. So, in this factor, it seems like there is a tie between gas and electric dryers.
- Installation – sometimes the choice for a new dryer may be dictated by the current conditions in your home. A gas dryer requires a gas line installed by your local gas utility company if you don’t already have one. If your old dryer used to run on gas, then you probably have that line in your home. Electric dryers are quite different since they don’t need a gas connection. It requires a 240-volt outlet like any other heavy-duty appliance in your home. If you’re a first-time buyer, getting an electric dryer is probably the best choice since installing a new gas connection can cost you as much as $1000. It’s more likely that you have a 240-volt connection in your home and if it isn’t there, getting one installed doesn’t cost much. You’re even more incentivized to get an electric dryer if you have solar panels or other such renewable sources of energy for your home.
- Safety – Both electric and gas dryers can be safe if installed by a proper technician and serviced on time. The risk posed by these appliances can be similar to other such appliances in your home. For instance, electric dryers run the risk of causing electrocutions and fires. However, that can be easily mitigated with proper installation and maintenance. On the other hand, gas dryers can pose other hazards. Gas leaks can cause fires or poisoning. Apart from water vapor, gas dryers also create deadly carbon monoxide that needs to be vented out. If you don’t maintain it properly and ensure that the vents are clean and lint-free, then carbon monoxide can leak into your home and cause poisoning.
- Energy efficiency – Dryers are some of the most energy-hungry appliances in your home. While in operation, they consume more than your large refrigerator and sometimes even more than your HVAC system. So, you want them to be as efficient as possible. A gas dryer is a clear winner in this category. It heats up very quickly and generates more heat in a short amount of time to dry your clothes faster than an electric dryer. Hence gas dryers keep load times to a bare minimum and use less gas and electricity.
- Environmental impact – As mentioned above already, dryers are energy-hungry machines. Electricity consumed by even the most efficient dryers amounts to a lot. Apart from that they also release warm gases into the environment that heat the atmosphere. It is especially relevant for gas dryers since they also release carbon monoxide. Apart from that, the environmental impact of dryers also depends on the power source. If you have solar panels, your dryers will leave less of an impact on the environment. However, if your electricity comes from a power plant that uses fossil fuels, gas dryers have a lower carbon footprint on the environment due to their higher efficiency and shorter load times. Make sure to check for Energy Star certification and rating on the dryers before you make the purchase.
Conclusion
All the factors show that both gas dryers and electric dryers have their advantages and disadvantages. Apart from them sometimes, it just depends on whether you have a gas connection to your home. So, you need to assess those factors and choose the dryer that best suits you. However, if your existing dryer is good enough and can be fixed then you should call a repairman by searching for “dryer repair near me”.