Drying laundry

Changing habits for drying laundry can reduce your energy use and help your clothes last longer (and save you money).  All that lint in the lint trap means your clothing is wearing out faster than if you didn’t use the dryer.  There are many households and situations where using a clothes dryer is very important, but there are changes you can make so you use less energy.  The USEPA says dryers account for 6% of household energy use. 

• Using a lower temperature setting for a longer drying time uses less energy, and lower temperatures are easier on fabric.
• If your climate and living location are appropriate, hanging clothes outside to dry is very energy efficient.  High humidity, significant air pollution, or high winds may make this an undesirable option, but if you live in a dry, sunny climate, outdoor clotheslines are very useful.  Some cities and neighborhoods in the US prohibit outdoor clotheslines, but many states have passed “right to dry” laws protecting your right to use an outdoor clothesline.  I worked with my homeowner’s organization to get the guidelines changed so that clotheslines could be used if retractable or removable. 
• If you can’t use an outdoor clothesline, you can still hang clothes to air-dry inside your home.  Some clothing needs to be tumbled a few minutes in low heat or on air dry to remove wrinkles and start the drying process.  The damp clothes can then be hung inside to dry, and you use your dryer only minimally. 
• Remove lint from lint traps every time you use the dryer.  A clogged lint trap reduces the energy efficiency of the appliance.  Clean your vent lines periodically also, as too much lint can reduce efficiency or start a fire. 

In winter, if higher humidity is not a problem, you can vent an electric dryer into the house so that the dryer heat helps warm the house.  DO NOT DO THIS if you have a gas-powered dryer.  You can buy a device to put on the end of the vent hose to capture the lint so it doesn’t blow all over the house.  Remember to clean the lint from this lint trap as well.