How It Works
Natural gas and propane gas clothes
dryers use a rotating drum and hot gas burner to get the job done. The dryer pulls air through its vents, across the gas burner
and into the drum where the super-heated air quickly dries clothes as moisture
is carried outside through an exhaust vent.
What Can Go Wrong?
The gas dryer relies on
temperature sensors to control the drying cycle and prevent overheating. If a
sensor fails, it may cause the unit to shut down. The rotating drum relies on
an electric motor and drive belt. Check the drive belt if your drum stops
rotating and replace it if necessary. The hot, linty environment may eventually
cause the electric motor to fail. Check out our maintenance tips for simple
ways to avoid costly problems.
Environmental Impact
Gas dryers use electricity to
power controls, fans and motors. A typical gas dryer
might consume 700 watts (W) or about 220 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually - much
less than an electric dryer. This would result
in about 338 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Gas versus Electric Dryer
Gas dryers are more cost effective in areas where gas is cheaper than electricity. In the long run, you can save energy and money by switching to natural gas. However, gas dryers are typically more expensive and require a pre-installed natural gas line or propane supply to operate.