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I am looking to buy an electric dryer for a small 24" space, and there seem to be two options. The 120W up to 1500W, and the 240V unlisted unknown power rating units. My main goal is to get a short drying time. But if both type of units are the same wattage, then the 240V units would not have any advantage. Even if they are like 1900W versus the maximum 1500W then it is not a huge improvement. Most of the market of 24" dryers are only available in 120V, while the 240V units are rare or expensive.

Hi there,

You’ve brought up an interesting dilemma, and it’s great that you’re weighing the options carefully. Here’s what I’d suggest considering:

Power and Drying Time:
You’re correct that if the wattage is similar, the voltage difference alone won’t significantly impact drying times. However, many 240V dryers tend to have higher wattages, often exceeding 1900W, which can provide faster heating and shorter drying times. It’s worth confirming the exact wattage of the 240V unit you’re considering to see if it’s a meaningful upgrade from the 1500W model.

Energy Efficiency:
Higher wattage units may dry faster, but they also consume more energy per minute. If drying time is your priority, a 240V unit with higher wattage might be a better fit, but it’s worth factoring in long-term energy usage as well.

Availability and Installation:
As you noted, 120V dryers dominate the 24" market because they’re more accessible and don’t require special electrical work. If your space already has a 240V outlet, then it might make sense to go for the 240V option. If not, the cost of installation could offset the benefits unless you’re planning long-term use.

User Reviews and Features:
Beyond voltage and wattage, check reviews for reliability and features like moisture sensors or cycle options. These can sometimes make a bigger difference in drying performance than raw power.

Ultimately, if the 240V units in your size range don’t offer a significant wattage boost, it might be more practical to stick with a high-quality 120V model.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your decision!

Are you asking a question? For a resistive load like most of the power consumed by a clothes dryer, power factor is pretty much 1, so V x A = W. A 1500W 115V dryer would draw around 13A, which is tippy top for the usual 15A household circuit and really should have a 20A circuit - which is not so common in residential. On the other hand, the same 15A circuit at 230V will permit something more like 3000W which is tons more heating. The high voltage dryer is always going to outperform the low voltage one. Do you have a suitable 230V circuit in the location of concern? It's expensive to run a 230V circuit which will usually have to come clear from the panel.

The catch is whether you already have a 240V outlet where you’re putting the dryer. If not, getting one installed can get pricey since it usually means running a line from the panel. If that’s not an option, you could focus on a front-load washer with a high spin speed—something like 1600 RPM gets a lot of the water out before the dryer even starts.
Reminds me of startups I’ve worked with: investing a little more upfront—whether it’s equipment or working with venture capital advisors —can save a lot of time and money in the long run.