I think all are right to a point. It would be a very challenging justification to add gas lines or high voltage electric lines and justify a cost savings if both were not already in place. The only real truth is that blanket statements don't apply to everyone because of substantial variations in utility cost across the country, differences in water temperature, and differences in the spin capability of different washers mated to the dryers. At one time I did a calculation of the change in entropy at about 42% efficient for the change in state of liquid water at 60F to evaporated at 120F. I doubt it has changed much through the years. Electric dryers are indeed a bit more efficient and can in fact dry a bit faster because they produce a dry heat. As others have stated, one of the byproducts of combustion is the creation of water, and that water passes through the load on its way out the vent. Where I live, upper Midwest, electricity is relatively cheap, but natural gas is even cheaper, and natural gas has crashed 40% in most areas over the last 2-3 years due to gluts of gas availability. For the average homeowner in our area, natural gas is still the best option. But, this is for natural gas, LP is potentially a different story because of higher average costs. Some recent winters have had shortages in LP, which caused sudden, violent spikes in price. Meanwhile electricity cost, while still cheap, is rising quickly with some significant rate hikes on the horizon. And yes, a gas dryer uses electricity to turn the basket, but those are typically equipped with 1/4 hp motors or at most 1/3 hp, which draw about 200-300 watts of electricity, so only about 5-10% of BTU equivalent of a gas dryer running. For those not living watts and horsepower as parts of their career, about 746 watts = 1 hp, and induction motors are anywhere form 50-80% efficient in converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, the rest lost as heat. For comparison sake, I think most small electric dryers use 4800-5400 watt heating elements, so 300 watts to turn the drum and run the controls is next to nothing compared to the elements. Laundryvet

If you are handy... ONLY, THIS IS RISKY. IT IS ELECTRICITY! You can splice in a regular type alarm clock (with the hands NOT digital) to a leg of the electric after the thermostat or when it leaves the heater. Start the hands at midnight. As the HW turns on and off the hand will progress. This will give you a running TIME that the HW is on > AND USING ELECTRICITY! Multiply out by your KWH. NOTE: use only one leg of power NOT BOTH or you will fry the clock (assuming 220/240 not 110/120 volts). If you look at the label OR how many circuit breakers you have, this will tell you how much vlotage and "legs"(power wires - 1 or 2) tapalmer99b1@aol.com

edpa- Thanks for sharing....this is great information for those who want to save energy but do not want the large initial investment that comes with a variable speed technology. We are seeing considerable migration to 2 speed HVAC equipment for the same reasons. The initial investment is not that much but the energy savings are significant. Plus, when the 2 speed equipment fails, it can be easily replaced with parts that are readily and economically available. In these troubling economic times....the information you shared above is invaluable to those homeowners who want to save significant energy but do not want to spend a lot of money. Kudos!

This just happens to be coincidental timing for this thread, but today had an example of how I've used this monitoring system to track down loads. Usual 'background' usage (by which I mean the usual minimum) for my place is a bit over a half kilowatt, plus or minus; some things are very obvious when turned on, like teapots or microwave or (electric) oven. There are some less obvious transients up or down a hundred watts or two (perhaps fridges, pumps, etc) that may not even show up as the monitors only poll every ten seconds or so and may not show up unless several turn on at same time. Today from one point that background/minimum jumped to about a kilowatt and stayed there. Not that I'm obsessed with it but a bit unusual and checked over the house (I've also had some work done recently so thought perhaps connected to that). Eventually remembered I'd been out to garage and turned off outdoor lights, decided to check there. Turns out I'd inadvertently turned and left on the main light fixtures in there, a couple minutes experimenting and yep, they run about 400-450 watts. I didn't realize how much they consumed, these are fluorescent fixtures (several). Don't usually have those lights on for long so it doesn't matter much, but good to know. (Most of my other light fixtures are using LEDs so barely noticeable)