The Difference Between LP & Natural Hookups for a Dryer

Delivery Method

• Natural gas travels through gas lines connected to your house. These gas lines are connected to your appliances, including your dryer, in order for the natural gas to work. The natural gas comes from the local gas company, which provides a continuous supply of it. On the other hand, propane is delivered in tank form to your home. It also is connected to gas lines in your home, but if you run out of propane, it is up to you to order more.

Efficiency

• Propane is more energy-efficient than natural gas. For the same amount of heat, propane burns 40 percent less fuel, according to "How Your House Works: A Visual Guide to Understanding & Maintaining Your Home." This means you will use less propane to power your dryer than you would natural gas.

Cost

• Propane is usually more expensive than natural gas. Even if you are using less propane to power your dryer, the cost of the propane can be almost twice as expensive as the cost of natural gas. This means it could be cheaper to run your dryer on natural gas, depending on the cost of natural gas in your area.

Pressure

• Propane travels at a higher pressure than natural gas. This means the orifices on your dryer’s burner have to be smaller than the natural gas orifices. The smaller orifices allow less propane to come out so the flue can burn properly. Natural gas orifices are larger and allow more gas to come out.