[SML] Gas or Electric for Dryers

[Dale Farmer]

On 12/18/2014 9:27 AM, Stephen Rees via Stagecraft wrote:
> I know this is not a costumer list, but I wonder if any of you might
> have any insights into the efficacy of electric versus gas dryers in a
> university costume shop application. The program does a lot of fabric
> dyeing for productions as well as class work in addition to daily
> laundry of costume items for running productions. Please share your
> rationales for one or the other.
> Many thanks in advance.
> Steve Rees
>
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Never worked costume shops, so can't speak to the aspects of gas or 
electric dryers are better or worse for costumes.   There is the obvious 
hazards of gas leakage, which is a low potential event, but having 
personally seen a three story house instantly reduced to kindling from a 
gas leak explosion, it did, as they say, leave an impression.   But if 
they are already plumbing the building for gas, there is no additional 
hazard.     My understanding with the current fracking boom that natural 
gas prices in New England are lower per therm than electricity, and 
probably going to stay that way for some time, so operating costs favor 
gas.

    The plumbing and exhaust stack requirements are going to pretty much 
nail the gas dryers to that spot for the foreseeable, so flexibility to 
rearrange the space is lower.    Also, wintertime heat recovery from gas 
dryer exhaust stacks is more difficult, so that's a minus for gas.    
Gas dryers do seem to heat up faster than electric, probably run hotter 
too, which reduces cycle time, but risks damaging heat sensitive fabrics 
if the dryer lacks a low temperature drying setting.

   No idea what the purchase costs might be, so that needs to be 
compared.   Installation costs with gas noticably higher.   Gas line 
versus heavy power line, and more expensive exhaust stack. Additional CO 
detectors in costume shop needed with the gas dryer.

   I think that it pretty much comes down to a dollar cost comparison.   
Installation and operating costs.

   --Dale