Modifying a gas dryer to run solely on electricity is something so many people have tried. People consider this because there are people skilled enough to convert almost any appliance to whatever they want. But the million-dollar question is, can you do this to a gas dryer?
The answer is no. You can’t convert a gas dryer to electric. To date, there is no known successful modification of such. But when you think of it, this impossibility makes total sense. Though the electric dryer costs more than the gas dryer, the gas dryer is cheaper to use. There are still many factors that differentiate the two dryers and a knowledge of them will help you know the one best suited to you. And that is what this article is about.
What is the cost of running an electric dryer?
Having an idea of the difference in the cost of running both appliances will remarkably benefit you. This way, you’d be best advised on which goes better with your long-term budget.
Short answer:
Running an electric dryer costs between 15 – 25 cents per load/batch.
Another way to quantify this is its cost per hour of usage, which is 27-75 cents.
Detailed answer:
- To calculate the cost of using your electric dryer, the first thing you need to know is its watt rating. Each electric dryer comes with a watt rating and most dryers run on something between 2.0 to 6-kilowatt hours.
- Get the electric tariff in your locality. If, for example, you are billed 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, it would cost you between 27 to 75 cents to run your electric heater for one hour.
Mathematical expression:
Watt rating of dryer X tariff = Cost of using an electric dryer for one hour.
What is the cost of running a gas dryer?
An average dryer consumes 11,000 BTUs (British standard units) per hour. For electric companies to bill you, they convert BTU to therm, which is charged at about $.11 per hour. And so you know;
11,000 BTU per hour = 0.11 therm per hour
0.11 therms per hour = $0.11
Therefore, it costs 11 cents to run a 11,000 BTU gas dryer for one hour.
Which dries clothes faster?
Considering that the gas dryer runs on heat, its burners are fired up almost instantaneously. The electric dryer, on the other hand, takes more time to heat its heating elements. In fact, the gas dryer dries up each batch within half the time it takes an electric dryer.
Well, except you intend on wearing clothes fresh out of your dryer, I don’t think this should be much of an issue. The only way the heating time might matter to you is in its effect on your clothes, and that is what I’ll cover next.
Which dryer has the least effect on clothes?
When it comes to efficiency in drying clothes, the gas dryer comes out on top once more. This is because the electric dryer takes more time than the gas dryer to heat clothes.
Moreover, no matter how good the material of your cloth is, longer heat periods usually result in wear and tear over time. This doesn’t happen rapidly and it’s almost not noticeable, but the faster your dryer is, the better.
Which dryer is more expensive to install?
When it comes to the ease and cost of installation, the electric dryer wins hands down. For example, you wouldn’t need an expert to install an electric dryer in your home. All you need is someone that can connect the dryer to a suitable electrical outlet, preferable 240v, and then connect it to an in-wall exhaust hook-up.
However, it’s not this easy when it comes to a gas dryer. Because it runs on gas, you’d need a certified plumber to carry out an intricate connection of the dryer to the gas line. The last thing you want to have is a gas leak, which can be very dangerous.
In summary, a gas dryer could cost you about $70 – $130 more than an electric dryer in the area of installation.
Which dryer is less expensive?
The electric dryer costs more than the gas dryer.
A mid-range electric dryer goes for prices between $400 to $600. On the flip side, a mid-range gas dryer falls within the range of $500 to $750. This makes up a difference of $100 – $150.
Going higher, though, their prices kind of meeting. Higher meaning that you are going for a more sophisticated dryer with more features such as wrinkle-less drying and whisper-quiet operations. You can get any type of high-end dryer with a budget of $1200 to $1600
If you intend on buying a dryer for everyday use at home, then I’d suggest you go with the midrange dryers. They have all the features you need.
Which is costlier to maintain?
The gas dryer costs more to maintain
If an electric dryer develops a fault, it is often easier and cheaper to correct. All you’d need to do is replace worn out parts such as the heating elements or switch. You shouldn’t have to pay so much in consultation fee as you might not need a professional for such repairs. Your only cost might be the parts you’d have to replace.
This isn’t so for the gas dryer. Because of their mode of operation and design, their repairs usually require more expertise. So if you are to call a professional technician to repair a fault on a gas dryer, you should be prepared to spend between $75 to $175 on consultation alone.
Conclusion
Since converting a gas dryer to an electric dryer is near impossible, it would be best to just purchase the one that will serve you best. If you stay in a location with a reasonable electricity tariff, then an electric dryer is best for you. However, if propane is a more economical option for you, then a gas dryer is clearly a better option.
