"If you really were that concerned you would run your old dryer till it was no long economically feasable. Lets be honest here average buyers." Well, fordtech, my 6 year old (motor already replaced$$$) dryer *honestly* died. I would say that it is no longer economically feasible for me to use it any longer. "Since it is geographically variable it would be best to ask people who know the facts in your immediate area." Everyone I know in my area has oil heating and electric stoves, dryers, etc. If I had people to ask I would. So...I gathered the appropriate info and posted it: how much $ per kwh and how much $ per gallon of propane and posted it. Did you read that? My problem is that I am still unsure how to compare these numbers and was hoping that someone, more knowlegeable than I, on this forum could help me figure it out. Overall though, I bet you dont spend but maybe 10 bucks a month on drying clothes. We worry too much about the small stuff and not enough about our gas guzzlers and opulent waste in America. My electric bill is very high. When my contractor told me that I should seriously consider getting a gas dryer since I will have the new propane line anyway - I had to investigate. So, I went to my favorite information gathering and sharing place --- the gardenweb forums. But, I have to say, the thing that irks me most on these forums is when people respond to posts not to answer a question or contribute something productive and worthwhile but just to spew crap that doesn't help or attempt to help. Instead, they merely like to unload for their own benefit and no one else's. If you think something is ridiculous, pointless, or otherwise not worth worrying about then why don't you just move on and not say anything at all. In the meantime, I have a choice to make that I will have to live with for a long time -- so if there is anyone out there with any real info or experiences to share -- I would appreciate it! Thank you! Onlygirlsmom- why would you do electric as opposed to propane?

You'll pay a bit more for a gas dryer over an electric, but more than likely, it will be cheaper to operate. Most place in this country, it's less expensive on a per load basis to dry with gas than electricity. I tend to think that some cheaper American gas dryers run hotter than their electric counterparts, but most of the higher-end models that I've seen are about the same. With a Miele, I'm guessing that temperatures would be fairly consistent between the two sources of energy. My Miele dryers are electric, but I know they run cooler than typical American brand electric dryers.

In theory there should be very little audible difference between an electric dryer and a gas dryer made by the same manufacturer. I personally would say gas makes a few dB more noise than electric because the combustion process itself is not totally silent. It's a lower frequency sound compared to the fan "whine" that is driven by the blade passing frequency at the fan housing cutoff. That said, noise levels do vary between manufacturers, not much, maybe a few decibels. I believe every u.s. Manufacturer is about 56 to 62 dB when connected to a duct vented out of the room. 4 pole induction motors, which have dominated U.S. production for years all move very similar amounts of air. A rigid metal vent can be quieter than a flimsy plastic vent line. Consider reviewing your vent line materials. Laundryvet

Another thing--you can go back to the gas meter & follow the gas line/ lines and see if one of the lines is headed in the direction of the laundry room. Could be under the house or in the attic. Or even enter from outside if the laundry room is on an exterior wall. Easy to trace UNLESS the lines are buried under a slab floor.