240V vs 120V Dryer Outlets

Standard North American electric dryers require a 240V circuit on a 30-amp breaker, served by a four-prong NEMA 14-30 outlet (newer code) or a three-prong NEMA 10-30 outlet (older homes). The four-prong configuration adds a separate ground wire that older three-prong installations bonded to the neutral; both work, but new installations must be four-prong by code, and the dryer cord must match the outlet.

Compact dryers (24-inch wide, often Bosch, Miele, Blomberg, LG compact) are available in either 240V or 120V configurations. The 120V version plugs into a standard household outlet but takes much longer to dry a load (90-180 minutes versus 40-60 for a 240V unit) because the heating element runs on roughly a quarter of the power. The 120V version is the right answer when adding a 240V circuit is not possible.

Gas dryers run on 120V regardless of size — the gas burner provides the heat, and the 120V circuit only powers the motor, controls, and timer. Gas dryers cost about $50-$100 more than the same model in electric and require a gas line at the install location. Operating cost is typically lower than electric in markets with cheap natural gas.

Heat pump dryers (the new efficiency standard) are typically 240V on full-size units and 120V on compact units. The 240V heat pump dryer has the same plug as a conventional electric dryer; no electrical change is needed when upgrading. The 120V heat pump dryer is genuinely a plug-anywhere option and is the right answer for apartments without 240V or vent.