dryer gas or electric??

zzbb

We are looking at a house that we can pick whether we have an electric outlet or hooked up for gas for our clothes dryer. I've only ever had an electric dryer and wonder from those that have had gas which you prefer and why.

G2SoccerTaz

I would go with gas. Gas for dryer, oven, and heater. Gas is cheaper than electricity. I enjoyed cooking with gas. Water boils so much faster.

Not having gas hookup is the only downside of the house we bought We would rather have gas hookup.

moonprincessd

I'd go with electric, with gas, you have the added worry of it possibly leaking... so you'll need carbon monoxide detectors. 

Sisugal

When we remodeled our basement, I added a laundry room and converted from electric to gas dryer. (Gas is much cheaper than electric here - also converted my electric water heater to gas at the same time)

Sillygirl45

I have always had gas. However, the house we bought does not have a gas hook up for the dryer. 

The original electric dryer didn't seem to work as well as my gas one. We replaced the washer/dryer shortly after we moved in and the new electric dryer works really well. 

I'd go with gas if I had a choice, but electric seems fine too if there's some reason that would work better. 

JoanE2012

moonprincessd said:

I'd go with electric, with gas, you have the added worry of it possibly leaking... so you'll need carbon monoxide detectors. 

I would never choose electric over gas because of worrying about the chance of a leak. I just googled and the CPSC reports that, on average, 170 people die each year from CO poisoning by non-automotive consumer products.  By comparison, the NHTSA reports the number of deaths by automobile accidents to be 33,561 in 2012.  I'm assuming you drive a car, right?

OP - We have gas and prefer it.  It's cheaper.  Carbon monoxide detectors are not that expensive.

zzbb

That you for the input I was under the impression that gas was more expensive than electric but had heard that gas dryer were more efficient. I believe we have the option of gas range or electric as well but like the glass top range because it is easier to clean but I did grow up with a gas stove and liked being able to see the flame to judge heat. I did not like cleaning the burners though.

Sillygirl45

Gas is cheaper. I would would choose gas for both the range and dryer if given a choice. Luckily our oven/stove were already set up for gas. Good luck!

JoanE2012

zzbb said:

That you for the input I was under the impression that gas was more expensive than electric but had heard that gas dryer were more efficient. I believe we have the option of gas range or electric as well but like the glass top range because it is easier to clean but I did grow up with a gas stove and liked being able to see the flame to judge heat. I did not like cleaning the burners though.

I prefer gas for stovetop too......things just cook differently!  

moonprincessd

Gas is cheaper in the long run, but more expensive in the beginning, here's the article: http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post.aspx?post=d9a07a24-e248-46d9-99f9-ca291f72b0d2

@JoanE2012

I think your snippyness was not needed, but sure more people die from car accidents, that doesn't undermine those that died from CO poisoning, I live in a state where we just had a few cases of deaths due to CO. Their CO detectors didn't go off like they should have. 

The OP asked for an opinion, I gave mine. 

JoanE2012

moonprincessd said:

Gas is cheaper in the long run, but more expensive in the beginning, here's the article: http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post.aspx?post=d9a07a24-e248-46d9-99f9-ca291f72b0d2

@JoanE2012

I think your snippyness was not needed, but sure more people die from car accidents, that doesn't undermine those that died from CO poisoning, I live in a state where we just had a few cases of deaths due to CO. Their CO detectors didn't go off like they should have. 

The OP asked for an opinion, I gave mine. 

And I just put things in perspective because I don't want the OP (or anyone else) to base her decision on the possibility of CO poisoning.  I'm certainly not undermining it....there is the real chance.   I'm just saying you have a far greater chance of being in a fatal car accident when you get in your car everyday, yet I'm assuming most of us continue to do so.  

Sillygirl45

We had a girl die in high school from CO poisoning while she was home from college on Christmas break. It was terrible and heartbreaking. However, it was also before CO detectors were common/popular. (I'm ancient)

Yes, it can happen with anything, but most CO issues are with furnaces around these parts. Though we have an electric dryer... our furnace, water heater, and stove are gas. 

As long as you have CO detectors and keep things in good working order you likely won't have any issues. I believe the CO is usually a venting issue or if the furnace isn't burning correctly. This is something a certified person can detect.

We have a good friend who is HVAC certified and he checks out our furnace/ac/water heater/dryer every year. It's probably overkill but it makes me feel better.

Good luck on your new home! I suggest gas for everything...if you have an option...but I really like gas