New dryer: Gas or Electric?

[slantsixdan]

Subject pretty much says it. Gonna get a new dryer. Any especial reason why a gas one would not be a good idea?

[Pegi]

Couple of things to consider....gas valve cost a lot more than electric heating elements, but gas valves themselves rarely fail....two...with a gas dryer a clear short vent from the dryer is critcial, more safetys on a gas dryer to cause drying problems with a vent that is just so-so.  other wise would likely save a lot in the electric bill area...

[slantsixdan]

That "clear, short vent" issue is something I'll need to consider; the present setup has about a 6-foot rise off the dryer and a 6-foot run across to the exterior wall, and no easy way to shorten it. However, I could use a step-up adaptor coming off the dryer to upsize the exhaust line to 5" or even 6". This would seem to buy me more margin to work with on the "longer than short" vent path.

[Pegi]

May not be too bad if the meaterials are right and no sharp bends....if good airflow might be ok?

[AccApp]

Gas is much cheaper to run. I wouldn't worry about the vent if you use all 4" stove pipe (my term). 6' +6' +10' for each ell gives you 32', well under most mfg's recommendations (45'). Just don't use any flex pipe at all. Use a periscope if you have to.

[mastertech011]

I started using Gas dryers after about 8 years using an electric. It paid for itself in the savings over the years.  Today gas prices are very volatile and can take large swings when the energy company feels the need to pork us to make up for losses on their bad investments so you dont have as much guaranteed savings and it may take a lot longer to save as much but I have had great luck with them mechanically. Ive had Maytags all along in the Gas but most of the machines I have seen seem to share a lot of the components or manufacturers of their components. A Maytag gas valve lists for about 100.00 but I have a spare laying around I picked up on Ebay for 5 bucks.