are gas or electric dryers more efficient
More than 80 percent of American homes have a clothes dryer, so the savings opportunity is huge. If all clothes dryers sold in the US were ENERGY STAR certified, Americans could save $1.5 billion each year in utility costs and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to more than 2 million vehicles. To choose a dryer that saves energy and money while protecting the environment, look for the ENERGY STAR label. Most dryers use electricity or gas as a heat source. Electric dryers require a dedicated three or four-prong 240 V outlet. The electricity heats the air in the dryer, which dries your clothes. They are generally less expensive than gas models of similar size and features. Depending on the price of electricity, electric dryers may be more expensive to operate over time. Both types of dryers function similarly -- air is drawn into the dryer, passes through a heating coil, warms the clothes inside, collects moisture, and is vented out. Gas dryers use gas to create the heat, and electric dryers use electricity. Both types use an electric fan to distribute the heat. Even though both types require a steady stream of electricity, gas models are slightly more efficient. Get the most efficiency from your ENERGY STAR certified dryer by considering the following: 1  Sensor Drying. 2  Use sensor drying, not timed drying. 3  ENERGY STAR dryer models incorporate advanced moisture sensors to help you reduce your dryer’s energy use. Get the most efficiency from your ENERGY STAR certified dryer by considering the following: 1  Sensor Drying. 2  Low heat setting. 3  Consider gas. 4  Savings by the pair. 1 Electric dryers may be slightly less expensive to purchase initially, but may be more costly to run than gas models, depending on your area’s utility rates. 2  For homes where outside venting may not be practical, ventless electric models are available that do not require venting. Gas dryers use either natural gas or propane as a heat source. Gas units are more expensive than electric dryers, but depending on the price of gas, they may be cheaper to operate over time. Gas units require a dedicated gas hookup. If one doesn’t exist in the space where you plan to keep your dryer, it will be necessary to hire a professional to install the line. Shopping for a clothes dryer might be a little off-putting -- many models are available in both gas and electric versions, and unlike nearly every other type of appliance at your chosen electronics or home store, clothes dryers don't display those ubiquitous Energy Star placards. According to the Consumer Energy Center, the clothes dryer (whichever type you have) is the second most energy-hungry appliance in the house -- only the refrigerator uses more power. Dryers are measured by a standard called the energy factor, which measures pounds of clothes per kilowatt hour of electricity. The new dryers are so large and efficient that large loads can be handled with ease and in much less time. As you shop for a new dryer, consider: The latest dryer models have newly developed heating sources and come with many new features.
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