Clothes dryers

A typical electric clothes dryer often consumes as much energy annually as a new refrigerator, clothes washer and dishwasher combined, so decreasing the energy used for drying clothes is a good place to make a big difference.  Of course, using an outdoor clothesline is the best way to reduce clothes drying energy consumption to zero.  However, weather and local laws can take away this option.  So, when you do use your dryer, consider these tips for reducing the energy used to dry your clothes.  I have included two links at the bottom for those who want more  ideas or to see testing information that backs up some of the statements. 

The single most important factor affecting energy consumption and efficiency is the amount of moisture to be removed, which depends on both the size of the load and its moisture content.  

• Remove more water from the clothes before drying by using a higher speed spin cycle
• Dry full loads rather than a larger number of partial loads (but make sure there is space for the clothes to tumble)
• Use a lower heat setting (drying time may be longer)
• Some dryers have a moisture sensor. The sensor automatically turns off the dryer once moisture is no longer detected on your clothing. The “less dry” setting usually gets clothes fully dry (although this varies with individual machines so you’ll have to experiment), while “normal” and “more dry” use more time and energy.  This feature may not operate during some during modes such as timed drying, so check your owner’s manual.  

Keep the lint filter clean.  A clogged lint filter slows down airflow, reducing the effectiveness of the dryer.

Try partially drying the clothes and then hanging them indoors to finish drying.  This removes the wrinkles in clothes that are designed to be dried using heat, but significantly reduces the total time your dryer operates.  Some clothes can just be tumbled a few minutes to remove wrinkles using air dry, which requires no heat, and then hung to dry.  

Periodically check the exhaust tubing of your dryer, and the outdoor vent, for any lint that may have built up in elbows or at the vent point. The lint buildup can prevent the moisture from the clothes from venting out of the dryer so it takes more energy to dry your clothes.  

http://www.green-energy-efficient-homes.com/energy-efficient-dryers.html

https://aceee.org/files/proceedings/2010/data/papers/2206.pdf​