Natural gas clothes dryers put a new spin on laundry
With increased attention to energy efficiency, natural gas clothes dryers are a wise consideration.
Benefits homebuyers appreciate
- Fewer wrinkles because the drying cycles are shorter and gentler than those of electrical models, meaning less time spent with an iron.
- Easier on clothes due to the moist heat of a natural gas dryer – the perfect companion for a front-load washer.
How are they different?
Electric dryers heat the air over a heating element. Natural gas dryers use a precise flame in a burner over which the air is heated. This instantly brings the heat up to the required temperature.
A 120V electrical circuit
Natural gas dryers do require some electricity to operate, but considerably less than a clothes dryer running on 100 per cent electrical power. You’ll only require a 120V electrical circuit rather than 240V, along with standard metal venting. As a result, you’ll save on your electrical servicing costs, and reduce your electrical transformer costs.
Venting
The recommended venting for gas and electric dryers is identical. Both types require venting through approved metal ducting that is typically
- run through the wall to the outdoors in multi-family unit applications, and
- run up through the roof in single family development applications.
A few considerations
Size — Choosing the right size for the space and anticipated household laundry volume is important. If your development is targeted to larger households, consider a unit with a larger drum to allow for bigger loads and reduced drying time. But for smaller households, a smaller appliance can dry clothes more efficiently with less energy. Improperly sized dryers can cause excessive wrinkling and waste needless energy.
Moisture sensors — Some models sense the level of dryness in the clothes and will automatically turn off the dryer when it reaches that level. This eliminates over drying, saves energy and reduces shrinkage and static cling.
Temperature control — Built-in thermostats monitor internal air temperature. As a safety measure, when the temperature exceeds a predetermined limit, the heating element shuts off automatically.
Innovative and cost effective natural gas solutions such as clothes dryers offer purchasers of your homes more comfort and luxury.