Ask Focus on Energy

The cost for propane is similar to electricity.

Thanks for your question. The cost to operate a dryer fueled by propane would be the same as a dryer fueled by electricity. Based on electric and natural gas prices in Wisconsin, gas dryer costs about $50 less to operate per year to operate than electric ones.

Because dryers do not vary much from model to model (just the cost to operate them does), they are not required to display the EnergyGuide label and also are not ENERGY STAR qualified. However, a dryer is typically the second-biggest electricity-using appliance after the refrigerator so learning how you use and maintain them can have a big impact on their energy use.

One thing that makes a big difference in the energy use of a dryer is the amount of time the dryer operates. Here are three ways to help reduce the time a dryer operates:

• Buy a model that senses dryness and automatically shuts off rather than counting on you to estimate the time it will take. Most of the better quality dryers today include this feature.
• Use an ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer. Higher spin-speeds in very efficient washers are designed to remove more water, reducing drying time.
• Use a clothes line! This is one of the cheapest means of drying clothes and uses no appliance what-so-ever. Using the heat of the sun and drying power of breezes, clothes lines are making a comeback in many backyards.

Published Friday, May 22, 2009