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The average home spends $2,200 per year for utilities. Half of that amount is just for electricity.

That means over 10 years you will have paid over $10,000 for electricity. In the United States, it is predicted that electricity prices will go up in the near future.

Read on to learn how a propane gas dryer can save you money, and learn some valuable information about other benefits of having a gas dryer.

Propane Vs. Electric Dryer: Electricity Usage

You might think that only electric dryers use electricity but that is not true.

Gas dryers have drums, lights, fans and operating controls that all need electricity to function. However, a propane dryer uses gas to heat and dry the clothes.

Electric dryers use electricity for all their functions (drying clothes, front panel etc). They are plugged in with either a special three- or four-pronged, 240-volt electrical outlet.

Propane gas dryers plug into the wall through an outlet as well. However, they also use gas that is brought in through an external gas line.

Propane Vs. Electric Dryer: Cost

When comparing the costs of a propane dryer and an electric dryer, there are two things to take into account. First is the cost of the new machine. Second is the operating cost.

In general, electric dryers can cost between $200 and more than $1,700, for top-end models. Propane gas dryers start at about $450 and go up to more than $1,800 for the best ones on the market.

So there is a cost difference between the two types, with electric being slightly less expensive.

Cost to Run

Now let’s consider the cost to run both types of dryers. Electric dryers use between 1,800 to 5,000 watts (or 1.8 to 5 kilowatt hours). In Pennsylvania, the current KwH rate is 7.10 cents.

We can multiply the kilowatt hours by the KwH rate to find out how much it costs per hour of drying time. Using the example above, it can cost anywhere from 13 cents to 35 cents for one hour of drying time.

To calculate how much your electric dryer is costing you, check the back of the unit for the exact watts.

Running propane gas dryers costs about half of what electric models cost, according to the US Department of Energy. This is true for all appliances, not just dryers. Propane water heaters, propane stove and furnaces all cost approximately 50% less to operate.

So keeping the numbers we used in the example above, a propane washer and dryer would cost 6 cents to 17 cents for an hour of drying time.

Energy Considerations

A third consideration is the cost to our planet. Propane gas is environmentally friendly. It is a clean-burning fuel that meets the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency. Propane gas is a non-toxic gas that is safe to use in the home.

Because gas dryers are also hotter than electric dryers, clothes will dry faster, which reduces the amount of energy you need to use to dry a load of laundry.

Read about other benefits of propane.

What to Look for in a Propane Gas Dryer

If you are shopping for a propane gas dryer, here are a few things to look for:

Size

First, consider the dryer capacity.

There are two dryer capacity styles: 25″ to 29″ wide full, regular or oversize size dryers with around 7 cubic foot drums, and 24″ compact models with around 3 cubic feet of drying capacity.

The larger size will dry clothes more quickly and can handle larger loads. If you have a large family, you probably want to choose the larger capacity to make your laundry as efficient as possible.

Efficiency Rating

Speaking of efficiency, all washers and dryers come with an efficiency rating. Look for Energy Star-certified dryers, which use 20% less energy than standard models.

Electronic Moisture Sensing

Many washers and dryers are manufactured with bells and whistles that you don’t need in order to drive the price up.

But one feature that is quite useful is electronic sensor drying. These models use an electronic moisture-sensing device that “feels” the degree of moisture in the clothes. When the clothes are dry, the dryer automatically turns off.

This is another way that you can save money and energy since your clothes will stop tumbling when they are dry.

Plus, this sensor prevents your clothes from overdrying, which can cause your clothes to have a shorter lifespan. So you will be saving money from less energy being wasted as well as from your clothes lasting longer. Win-win!

Installing a Gas Dryer

If your laundry room doesn’t already have a gas line, you will need to hire a licensed plumber to install one. On average, adding a gas line will cost approximately $120-$180 for labor, $100-$150 for 50 to 75 feet of gas line, and $30 for parts and fittings.

You will also need to hire an HVAC contractor who specializes in dryer vent installation. Cost depends on how close your laundry room is to an exterior wall and how labor intensive the wall is to cut through. You will probably pay around $140 for a dryer vent installation.

Even though this cost adds to the expense of having a gas dryer, after a few years, the cost savings on energy will have paid for this expense.

More Questions? Contact Kauffman Gas

We hope you found this article insightful in understanding the benefits of a propane dryer for your home, your wallet, and the environment.

The Kauffman Gas family has provided propane gas service to families and businesses for 4 generations. We offer exceptional customer service, propane tank monitoring programs, and an automatic delivery option to make sure you never run out of gas. Contact us for more information.