The average American family washes about 300 loads of laundry each year. ENERGY STAR can help families cut their related energy costs. ENERGY STAR certified dryers use about 20 percent less energy than conventional models without sacrificing features or performance, saving $215 in energy costs over its lifetime.
Models that have earned the ENERGY STAR use innovative energy saving technologies, such as moisture sensors that detect when clothes are dry and automatically shut the dryer off. They are available from brands including Beko, Bosch, Electrolux, GE, LG, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool. Many ENERGY STAR certified dryers also include convenient features, such as steam cycles that can help save time on ironing clothes by preventing wrinkles.
Get the most efficiency from your ENERGY STAR certified dryer by considering the following:
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Sensor Drying. Use sensor drying, not timed drying. Dryers that have earned the ENERGY STAR incorporate advanced moisture sensors to help reduce their energy use by automatically shutting off when clothes are dry.
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Low heat setting. Longer drying cycles on a low heat setting use less energy. When you purchase an ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryer, look in the informational materials shipped with the product for which cycle was tested for certification and how the dryer’s other cycles or settings may use more or less energy.
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Savings by the pair. A full-size electric certified dryer saves $215 in energy bills over the life of the product. An ENERGY STAR certified washer/dryer pair will save even more energy and money while doing your laundry. Clothes washers that have earned the ENERGY STAR incorporate advanced technology and functionality to get significantly more water out of your clothes in its final spin cycle than a conventional model. This makes it easier for clothing to dry in an ENERGY STAR certified dryer using less heat. Less heat means energy savings and reduced wear and tear on your clothes caused by over-drying.
How do I choose the right type of clothes dryer?
Electric vs. Gas
Many of the latest dryer models are available in both electric and gas versions, so you can choose which option is right for you.
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Gas dryers may cost less to operate, depending on the electric and gas rates in your area, but may have a slightly higher initial price tag. Like most electric dryers, gas models require venting to the outside of the home, in addition gas models also require a dedicated gas line which may not be practical for some types of housing and could add to the cost of installation.
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Electric dryers may be slightly less expensive to purchase initially, but may be more costly to run than gas models, depending on your area’s utility rates. For homes where outside venting may not be practical, ventless electric models are available that do not require venting. Electric dryers do not require a dedicated gas line, but most standard sized models require a 240 V outlet. Alternatively, some compact dryers are available for a 120 V outlet.
Choose the right size for your capacity needs
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If you are replacing a dryer, consider how much laundry you dry each week.
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Drying too large of a load will cause it to take longer to dry. The drum needs to be large enough to allow a full load from the washer to tumble freely, with enough space left over for hot air to circulate.
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Too small of a load can cause problems, too. Drying a single towel for 30 minutes will cost about as much as drying a full load for the same time. Smaller loads can actually take longer to dry without benefit of the tumbling effect of a full load.
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It is a bit easier if you are buying both a matching washer and dryer - manufacturers normally design these pairs to work together with the same sized load.
Increasing Functionality and Performance
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Moisture Sensors - Many new clothes dryers come designed with a moisture sensor, which automatically ends the drying cycle when clothes are dry.
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Automatic Cycle Termination - Select a product with automatic termination to help prevent your clothes from over-drying. Not only will this feature save energy, but it will also save wear and tear on your clothes caused by over-drying.
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Delayed Start - Delay start gives you the option of setting the dryer to begin according to your schedule. In some cases delaying the start of the dryer could save on energy costs.
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Steam - Many dryer models come with a steam cycle option or feature to help release wrinkles and remove odors in clothing.