Need Help Quick-gas or electric clothes dryier?

Question

My wife has her friend wanting to give us a 3 year old electric dryer and with the heat here in southern California currently, the possible rolling blackouts of electricity - we have both gas and electric hook ups, however we are currently paying a small fortune in electric, due to having to run the air conditioner. Need something sensible to explain to either myself or my wife about the pro's and con's of an electric dryer - please and thank you.....

Answer 1

i am not sure about a gas drier, over here in jolly old england i think we only have electric, but if its so hot over there why do you need a dryer anyway, cant your wife hand up the washing outside on a line. i have a rotary clothes line and my towels and jeans are out there right now!!
will be dry by this afternoon and ironed and put away!!
hope this helps.

Answer 2

Gas dryers take less time to dry a load, so they are more efficient, but electric is somewhat safer. The risk of fire or explosion is reduced. Since you live in California, why not hang the clothes outside until they are dry? You can get rid of the stiffness by putting them in the dryer for about 15 minutes.That'll save on running the dryer for 30 to 40 minutes.

Answer 3

It doesn't sound like you want this dryer. I prefer electric myself. They are safer. No need to worry about gas leaks or exhaust getting into the house. Gas dryers use electricity to so they won't save you from blackouts. Yes they will raise your electric bill But your gas bill will go up with a gas dryer and so will your electic bill. One last thing getting a free dryer is 300 to 500 dollars savings to start. Hope this will help a little.

Answer 4

Electric is safer, Gas is more efficient. Although gas prices have been rising and the savings are getting less and less. There is another option. You live in CA and it's so hot you need AC, hang the clothes out to dry. If you don't like that stiff feeling toss them in the dryer after the line on low/no heat for about 10 minutes.

Answer 5

I just replaced a fairly new electric dryer with a new gas one because my electric bills were so out of control since getting the electric dryer (it was given to us, replacing an ancient gas dryer). In Southern California, you'll be much better off with gas. If you decide to buy a gas dryer, make sure you save the receipt. You might be eligible for a tax deduction for energy savings. We got a tax break last year for replacing old windows.

Answer 6

Most of the time a gas dryer is more efficient and every bit as safe. The gas vs. electric rates are the primary determinator as to wich you prefer.
(Remember, a gas dryer needs a 110 volt circuit to operate. Therefore, it will also be inoperable during an electric outage.)

Answer 7

Grew up with electric dryer and range, mom still uses electric. For the last 30 years I have used gas appliances and will never switch back to electric. Gas is much better for cooking more control of heat. Gas dryer is more efficient. We too live in Michigan. You could check with the gas/electric company for your area and ask them which is cheaper.

Answer 8

I prefer gas because I think it dries the clothes faster. However I think "free" is the operative word here. If you can get a three-year-old dryer at no cost, it will more than make up what you spend on electricity.

Answer 9

I would rather have electric. I don't like the possibility of having my clothes have the yellowish cast caused from a gas dryer.

Answer 10

the gas dryer takes less time to dry clothes when compared to electric. The electric can shrink some clothes while a gas dryer is less likely to.