Gas dryer vs. Electric dryer- cost comparison (how much, washer, furnace)

[Stephanie777e]

Hello, forum goers.

I need your advice. Our family will be moving to a house at the beginning of July and are debating about installing a gas line and purchasing a gas dryer. However, I would like your opinion on how much we will save and if it's worth getting a gas line installed and gas dryer considering how much we pay for gas and electricity in our area (suburb north of Dallas). We will have to buy a new washer when we move and will buy a new dryer in the next few months (maybe on Black Friday), so we'll have to decide on gas or electric for that. We have two young kids and I do a TON of laundry each week, at least 6-8 loads a week (of varying sizes), which will increase when my in-laws from out of the country stay with us for 2-3 months at a time (at least 6 months/yr).

Ok, here's the info you might need to give me your educated opinions:

> Cost of installing a gas line to the laundry room to connect a gas dryer- about $1000 or a little less.
> Cost of electricity- about $0.13 per kWh
> Cost of natural gas- $.1977 per ccf
> Let's assume dryer running time is equal unless you can say it'll be faster with a particular dryer- gas maybe?

We need to consider how much we will save if we do decide to invest in a gas connection and dryer, vs. sticking with electric.

If there is any information that I might provide to help you in your opinion, I can try to provide that. I do want to get a retractable clothes line installed at the new house as an option for a more ecofriendly method when the weather is favorable (but will mainly be using the dryer).

Thanks a bunch!!
-Stephanie

[chet everett]

Generally electric clothes dryers are capable of higher temps / sorter drying times. They are cheaper up front too. That said in most parts of the country the operational costs of natural gas are lower, even factoring in the increased run time. Deciding factor is how long can you expect to own the home to amortize the upfront cost of the new gas line...

[Stephanie777e]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Generally electric clothes dryers are capable of higher temps / sorter drying times. They are cheaper up front too. That said in most parts of the country the operational costs of natural gas are lower, even factoring in the increased run time. Deciding factor is how long can you expect to own the home to amortize the upfront cost of the new gas line...

We plan to stay in this house a LONG time as it has enough space for us and it's on a 1/3 of an acre. 10 years at least.

[beachmouse]

How are you going to run your water heater and cooking range? I'm assuming electric for now, but running the gas line gives you more options in that regard down the road when it's time to replace those.

[Nayabone]

Any place you have access to natural gas you do not even consider electric. Electric is only used when you have no other choice...

[Stephanie777e]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

How are you going to run your water heater and cooking range? I'm assuming electric for now, but running the gas line gives you more options in that regard down the road when it's time to replace those.

Yes, gas is already used for water heater and gas range. Kitchen is on other side of house from laundry room, but thankfully the gas meter and water heater are on same side of house and near the laundry room. I'm leaning towards gas, but I have to convince my husband of the cost comparison, since it's a big cost upfront to have the line run to the laundry room.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by Stephanie777e

We need to consider how much we will save if we do decide to invest in a gas connection...

and water heater and kitchen stove and furnace when they warrant replacement too.

Originally Posted by nayabone

Any place you have access to natural gas you do not even consider electric. Electric is only used when you have no other choice...

^^what he said

[linicx]

The water heater is most expensive unit in your house, followed by the top loading washer, toilets and leaking faucets. By comparison the cost to dry is negligible.

[Stephanie777e]

Originally Posted by MrRational

and water heater and kitchen stove and furnace when they warrant replacement too.

Originally Posted by Stephanie777e

Yes, gas is already used for water heater and gas range. Kitchen is on other side of house from laundry room, but thankfully the gas meter and water heater are on same side of house and near the laundry room. I'm leaning towards gas, but I have to convince my husband of the cost comparison, since it's a big cost upfront to have the line run to the laundry room.

Let me repeat... a gas line already exists in the house- running to the water heater (in garage, near laundry room) and to the gas range in kitchen (on other side of house, on the same floor). The gas meter is located on the other side of the outside wall from the garage and not far from the laundry room. The water heater and stainless steel gas range will not need to be replaced anytime soon as the house is still fairly new (only 6 years) and all are in great working condition. The situation is whether or not to pay $1000 to have the gas line EXTENDED to include gas service in the laundry room.

Again, I'm asking for advice- backed up with numbers, if possible- as to whether or not it's worth it to have the gas line extended and buy a gas dryer.

Thank you,
Stephanie

[debzkidz]

I had a gas dryer for many years and loved it. Unfortunately for me, it decided to die a couple of years ago when natural gas prices were really high, so I stupidly replaced it with electric, thinking there would be no real benefit to owning gas any longer, and since the price of the same dryer in the gas version was $100 more, I thought I would come out ahead. Now with low natural gas prices, I'm really wishing I'd just stayed with gas. The only real draw back I found was, like yours, not all homes are plumbed for gas dryers, and since we've been transferred several times, it became a bit of an issue.