I am relocating my dryer. I had the gas line relocated and a dedicated circuit put in for the washer and dryer. The original location had the option for an electric dryer. We have a gas dryer and will probably never have an electric dryer due to the high cost of electricity in our area. I am wondering if new houses typically have just one or the other or both. It's relatively easy to run 35ft of 10/3, but I'd rather use the available breakers in the panel for something else.
Most people in my area have older homes and have both hookups, but I believe the only reason they have both is because the cost of electricity was on par with gas in the 70's
How common is it for new homes to have gas-only dryer hookups in areas where gas is cheaper than electricity?
Best Answer
Around here (Pacific Northwest), electricity is inexpensive and gas is reasonable too. However, over the last five years, gas prices have declined and will continue to do so and electric has crept up slowly and probably will forever. Almost all houses here have electric dryers and every single rental (house, apartment, condo) is only electric, even those with gas fireplaces, water heaters, and ranges.
Personally, I like the option of using either gas or electric. It would not increase the price I'd pay for the house, but it would be one less barrier to moving in. And that might sway a non-buyer into a buyer.
If it were me, I'd relocate the abandoned wire to be near the new location. If an unused breaker is actually a problem, just run the wire into the panel full length (so it can be connected anywhere when the time comes) and tuck it out of the way, and secure it, maybe all wires into the neutral strip. Install the outlet and mark it "not connected". Place the heavy duty outlet to be semi-accessible so that it could be used by some future high power appliance, like a big air compressor, welder, hot tub, sauna, etc.