Replies

1. 
   BillHartmann | May 18, 2004 04:47pm | #1

   I have not seen any efficiency specs on clothes drier, but I suspect that they are correct. Electric heat is more effienct than gas.

   But are you concerned about effiency or operating cost?

1. 
   crrepitus | May 18, 2004 05:21pm | #2

   I guess operating costs.

1. 
   joeh | May 18, 2004 06:03pm | #3

   Operating cost of electric heat of any sort is higher than gas. Drier tooooooooooooooo

   Joe H

1. 
   mitch | May 18, 2004 07:24pm | #4

   thank you, thank you, thank you for exercising a modicum of forethought in anticipation of other future potential needs.  a couple weeks ago we bought a new bosch dual fuel range (gas cooktop, electric convection oven) and i had to run a gas line up into the kitchen from the crawlspace.  the supply to the water heater goes right under the kitchen, but do you think the dumba$$ who ran it fifteen years ago could have had the intelligence to use a tee instead of an elbow at a logical point so that somebody could add on a spur line later without taking apart a bunch of stuff first?  he11 NO.  what would that have cost - an extra two bucks including the plug?  and is there a tee in the line running right behind the w/d?  he11 no.  idiots.

   m

2. 
   Mugsy | May 18, 2004 10:29pm | #5

   That depends on where he lives.  (As do so many things)  There are places (like Nebraska, I think) where electricity is dirt cheap.  Like .04 per kw.  And propane ain't like natural gas in cost. Can be quite pricey.  Especially if you're not using it for heat and can't buy in bulk.

1. 
   crrepitus | May 18, 2004 11:12pm | #6

   exactly.  its only a small 36 gallon tank for the range.  i think that the propane is rather expensive.

2. 
   joeh | May 18, 2004 11:26pm | #7

   So, why ask?

   Joe H

3. 
   crrepitus | May 19, 2004 12:15am | #8

   Note i said "think."  dont know for sure.  maybe some here has had experience with this recently.

4. 
   Mugsy | May 19, 2004 04:29pm | #9

   Here is an excellent discussion of the various fuels and their relative costs.  You'll have to do a little homework if you really want accurate numbers.  Check out the efficiency ratings labels on some actual appliances you are interested in, get the actual prices of fuels in you area, and use those numbers in the charts from this link.

   http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/factsheets/cb5.html?print

5. 
   davidmeiland | May 19, 2004 05:26pm | #10

   Relatively speaking, electricity is cheap here and propane is expensive--but we still install gas if possible because it's still cheaper to operate, as long as you can buy 250 gal. or so at a time.

6. 
   DaveMason2 | May 19, 2004 07:49pm | #11

   FYI

   I run just my stove off of propane and a 100# tank will last me 3 to 4 months. Thats for a family of four using it  mainly for breakfast and dinner. 

      Dave