Energy Efficiency

One of the things to consider when shopping for any household appliance is energy efficiency. When it comes to clothes dryers, the most energy efficient type is the solar type, AKA a clothesline! The clothesline is easy to maintain, so repairs are not an issue. Of course, this type is not convenient or time saving, so it does not meet the needs of most people’s lifestyles today.

Clothes dryers are among the most expensive appliances to operate and the most likely to cause a fire if not properly maintained. Newer models of gas or electric powered clothes dryers are more energy efficient than older models. They are also designed to meet UL standards of safety. The UL rating should be printed on a sticker located on the back of the dryer or inside the door.

Gas dryers cost more to purchase than electric dryers, but are more economical and energy efficient, which saves money in the long run. Newer models are designed to reduce drying time. Some have moisture sensors to tell the dryer when to start the cool down cycle to prevent over-drying which extends the life of clothing.

Cycles and Extra Options

By law, dryers must have at least one automatic drying cycle. The best cycle to have is one that includes sensors which automatically stops the drying cycle when clothes are dry. A cool down cycle helps to keep clothes from wrinkling, especially if they are not immediately removed from the dryer when it stops. Some dryers have a damp-dry cycle if you prefer to iron them dry when finished. A tumble-free cycle uses air and a drying rack to dry items such as canvas shoes.

One new model available is about the size of a refrigerator, with a heated cabinet where steam circulates. It has racks for drying delicates and a rack for hanging clothes to remove wrinkles. This is a relatively expensive dryer to purchase.

Space

When shopping for your washer and dryer, be sure to measure the place where they will go in your home. An appliance always look smaller in the large store where there are so many than it does once it is delivered to your home where only one of them is likely to fit. Most standard clothes dryers are between 25 and 29 inches wide. Of course the physical size of the appliance is only important when making sure it will fit in your laundry area. The most significant measurement of a clothes dryer is the drum capacity. Full size models are usually 5 to 7 cubic feet; compact models are 3 cubic feet. Be sure to choose the right capacity dryer to match that of your washer. For example, a washer with a 3.5 cubic capacity requires a 7 cubic foot dryer.

If you have a very small laundry room, stackable washer and dryer sets are available. These models are commonly used in apartments, but are seen in homes as well.

Safety and Maintenance

Some dryers are ventless or condensing, but most local codes require dryers to be vented outdoors. They should not be vented to a crawl space, chimney or attached garage. The bottom of the exhaust hood should be at least 12 inches off the ground and the duct should be made of 4-inch aluminum or flexible metal, but not thin foil, vinyl or plastic. Vinyl or plastic are combustible and are not safe according to today’s city, state and manufacturers codes.

It is recommended that you have a professional inspect your dryer vent system for fire safety. An annual professional cleaning, using special tools to get to the hard to reach places is also a good idea. It’s usually the hard to reach places where lint builds up and restricts air flow. When this happens, the dyer works harder to do its job, consumes more energy and is more likely to break down or cause a fire. The fee for a service call from a professional dryer vent cleaning company is little compared to repairing or replacing your dryer or rebuilding your home if it is damaged by a fire.

This article was written by Larry Butterfield, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of Southeast Michigan. Larry is a dryer vent repair specialist who provides dryer vent cleaning services as well as educating consumers on dryer fire safety. http://www.dryerventwizard services consumers in Wayne County, Detroit, Livonia, Redford, Dearborn, Canton, Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Saline, Ypsilanti, Monroe County, Carlton, Monroe, Temperance, Lambertville, Lenawee County, Hudson, Adrian, Blissfield, Tecumseh, Addison and neighboring cities and communities.