Gas vs. Electric: Which dryer is more energy efficient?

When you're researching your new dryer, you can expect most gas models to have an energy factor of about 2.67 and above. This is a rather high energy factor, but it's a little less than electric models. That difference ends up being about 50 percent less power per load (and therefore save you more on your electricity bill) [source: Consumer Energy Center]. So, gas dryers usually cost more up front, but they save money in the long run.

A slightly higher up-front price tag in exchange for money and energy savings for years to come? It sounds easy, but unfortunately, your decision might not be that simple. If your laundry area isn't equipped for a gas dryer, the upgrade will be a pricey investment (if it's even possible at all). First, gas dryers require a gas line; if you don't already have one, you're probably out of luck, since they're dangerous and expensive to install in an occupied residence. If you've got one, though, that gas line will provide a potent source of heat.

Gas dryers also require a vent to expel the moisture removed from your clothes. They remove condensation in the form of hot steam, which must be quickly and safely moved outside the residential area. In most places, building codes require this vent to end up outdoors to prevent any danger from gas by-products. Unfortunately, condo and apartment dwellers might not be able to install gas dryers unless a suitable venting solution -- outdoors or to a common HVAC system -- has already been incorporated.

If your place doesn't have the right hookups, though, a gas dryer might not be for you. On the next page, we'll discuss alternative drying options.

The energy factor of electric dryers starts at 3.01, slightly higher than their gas counterparts, but the difference is such that each load of laundry will cost about twice as much as a gas dryer would cost. Electric dryer models cost a little less up front, though, and they're often easier and less expensive to install.

If you choose an electric dryer, you're spared the inconvenience of venting, which makes electric dryers a convenient choice in multi-family and small homes. (All compact and combination units, especially popular with apartment-dwellers, are electric.) Electric units most commonly remove moisture through condensation; that is, once the hot air collects moisture, it's cooled, and the resulting water vapor ends up in a tank or tray that must be emptied periodically.

However, this extra power use requires an upgrade in infrastructure. Electric dryers use a 240-volt outlet, twice the standard household current, so if you don't have one, you'll need to hire an electrician to hook you up.

Sound complicated? The simplest solution might not be an option for space-constrained urban dwellers, but if you've got some yard space to your name, put nature to work. Despite some drawbacks (like dependency on the season and weather, or the restrictions of finicky homeowners' associations) using a clothesline is the least expensive, most energy-efficient way to dry clothes. The sun and wind are extremely effective -- no 240-volt outlet or steam vents necessary. Your clothes will also stay in better condition.

Keep reading for more household tips and energy conservation pearls of wisdom.