How Popular Are Gas Dryers | We Asked 30+ People

There are many different types of dryers, such as gas, electric, heat pump, and ventless. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks, so it might be difficult to say which is the most popular. Gas dryers have been around the longest, but technologies have advanced significantly.

Over 30 people responded to a poll asking what type of dryer they use/prefer. Electric dryers came in first place, with gas in second and heat pump in third. In this article, we’ll explore why voters may have chosen the option they did.

Gas dryers are not as popular as electric dryers. This is likely due to the accessibility and availability of electric dryers compared to gas dryers as well as the lower cost and perception that gas dryers are less environmentally friendly.

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Poll Results

We put out a poll to find out what type of dryer people prefer. The results showed that 66% of voters prefer electric, 27% prefer gas, and 7% prefer heat pump. This tells us that while gas dryers are not obsolete, they are lower-ranking in terms of popularity.

Poll or survey about _What type of dryer do people prefer

One voter commented that the only reason they chose gas was that a gas dryer was already installed in their home, so convenience or what consumers are used to may play a significant role in what dryer type they prefer.

Polls are never representative of an entire population, so while the results of this poll give a snapshot of what the public thinks, these conclusions may not apply in countries outside the United States or in places where homes are more compatible with gas or heat pump dryers.

Reasons Why Gas Dryers Aren’t More Popular

As our poll shows, more people use electric dryers than gas dryers. There are several reasons why this might be the case:

Availability

Gas dryers are not as widely available as electric dryers, and may not be sold in all locations. There also may be barriers to installation as gas dryers often require a professional to install them compared to electric dryers, which can often be installed by the homeowner.

Cost

Gas dryers tend to be more expensive than electric dryers _{^{(amazon link)}}, both in terms of the upfront cost of the appliance (they are more expensive to produce) and the cost of installation. A gas dryer will typically cost around $100 more than an equivalent electric dryer.

Gas vs Electric Dryer Lifetime Cost (Purchase, Install, Energy)

Compatibility

Gas dryers require a gas line connection, which not all homes have. Most homes already have the wiring necessary for electric dryers to be installed. This makes it difficult for people with an electric dryer setup to switch to gas.

Efficiency

Depending on the dryer type, electric dryers can be more energy efficient, making them a more cost-effective choice for some consumers.

On the other hand, compared to electricity, gas is a more effective fuel for producing heat. Overall, the consumer’s perception of the model’s efficiency will contribute to which type they prefer.

Laundry Habits

Some people are more accustomed to using electric dryers and are uncomfortable switching to gas. As the comment on our poll shows, consumers may just go with whatever dryer is already installed in their home (which is statistically more likely to be electric dryers).

Perception

Electric dryers have been more popular for a longer period of time, and people may be more familiar with them and have a stronger preference for them over gas dryers.

There also may be a perception that they are more environmentally friendly (although this depends on where the energy is coming from for electric dryers), which may make consumers favor them.

Electric Dryer VS Gas Dryer Illustration

Gas Dryer Popularity in the Past

There’s some debate about when the first gas dryer was patented: either in 1892 by J. Ross Moore or in 1906 by George T. Simpson.

Regardless of the exact date, the gas dryer was created before the electric dryer, which was invented in the early 20th century (in 1907 by J. Ross Moore, then manufactured in the mid-1920s by Hamilton Manufacturing).

During the early 20th century, gas dryers were more popular than electric dryers, as they were more widely available and less expensive than electric dryers.

However, as electricity became more widely available in homes, electric dryers gradually gained popularity and eventually surpassed gas dryers in popularity.

The increased efficiency of electric dryers, coupled with declining costs, also made them a more attractive option for consumers.

Today, electric dryers are the more popular choice, with most homes using electric dryers. However, gas dryers still have their advantages and are used by some consumers, especially in areas where natural gas is more readily available and cost-effective.

Are Gas Dryers Fading Out?

Gas dryers are becoming less popular as electric dryers continue to dominate the market. Over the years, electric dryers have become more energy efficient and cost-effective, which has made them a more attractive option for consumers.

Additionally, the widespread availability of electricity has made electric dryers more accessible to a larger portion of the population, while the need for a gas line connection has limited the adoption of gas dryers.

That being said, gas dryers still have their advantages, such as faster drying times and the potential for lower operating costs in areas where natural gas is more readily available and cost-effective.

As a result, gas dryers are still used by some consumers and are not completely fading out.

Gas Dryers | Are They Soon Obsolete?

Addressing Heat Pump Dryer Low Popularity

A heat pump dryer uses a heat pump to circulate warm air and dry clothes. This type of dryer is more energy efficient than traditional electric dryers, as it reuses heat instead of generating new heat, and typically has a longer lifespan.

Heat pump dryers are a relatively new technology and are not yet as popular as traditional electric or gas dryers because they tend to be more expensive, are not as widely available, and many consumers are not aware of heat pump dryers as an option.

Ventless dryers are popular in Europe, where they are known as “condenser dryers.” These dryers are particularly popular in apartment buildings and homes where traditional vented dryers are not an option due to limited space or a lack of external ventilation.

Ventless dryers work by condensing moisture from the clothes into a water tank, eliminating the need for a vent to the outside. This makes them a convenient and space-saving option for many European consumers.

While only 7% of people answering the poll use heat pump dryers, our poll was answered by Americans, where heat pump and ventless dryers are less common. As awareness and understanding of these dryers grow, it is possible that their popularity will increase in US markets in the future.