Buying and Operating Tips: Clothes Dryers

• Buying tips
• List of models: Clothes Dryers
• Clothes dryer categories
• Clothes dryer distributors by brand name
• Operating tips to save energy and money

Clothes dryers are about 17 percent more energy efficient today than they were in 1990. The main improvements in the energy efficiency of clothes dryers are due to automatic controls that end the cycle by using moisture sensors, thus eliminating over-drying.

Buying Tips

When shopping for a clothes dryer, look for these features:

• the lowest EnerGuide rating
• a sensor that automatically shuts off the machine as soon as the clothes are dry (a sensor is preferable to a timer, which often keeps the machine running after the clothes are dry, wasting energy and possibly shortening fabric life)
• a cycle that includes a cool-down period, sometimes known as a "perma-press" cycle (in the last few minutes of the cycle, cool air, rather than heated air, is blown through the tumbling clothes to complete the drying process)

Consider a compact dryer if you always dry small loads. As a rule, compact dryers use less energy per cycle than full-size models. Bear in mind, however, that it can cost you more energy and money if you end up doing more loads to dry all of your clothes.

Gas appliances do not currently have EnerGuide labels. If you are purchasing a gas dryer, make sure it has been certified by the Canadian Gas Association (CGA) or Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

Compare current dryer models by visiting our searchable product listings. There are no ENERGY STAR^® qualified clothes dryers because energy consumption does not vary significantly from one model to another. In addition, washers now remove more water so that dryers can do their job more quickly.

List of models: Clothes Dryers

Clothes Dryer Categories

Clothes dryers are available in various sizes, which affects energy consumption. That's why EnerGuide groups clothes dryers according to two categories, enabling you to compare the energy consumption of similar models. The energy rating for clothes dryers is based on 416 operations per year.

• Standard clothes dryers - includes all standard-size front-loading clothes dryers
• Compact clothes dryers - includes both 120- and 240-volt models with capacities of less than 125 litres
• Information on gas dryers
• Information on condensing gas dryers

Clothes Dryer Distributors by Brand Name

Operating Tips to Save Energy and Money

Set-Up and Maintenance

• Read your owner's manual - it's full of hints to help you operate your dryer at optimum efficiency.
• Clean the filter before every load to ensure maximum operating efficiency.
• Check the dryer vent to the outside of your home regularly to make sure it is not obstructed by lint or other materials and that it is not blocked by overgrown shrubs or plants. Make sure the automatic flap or damper is working properly.

Everyday Operating Tips

• Don't put dripping wet clothes into your dryer - your machine will have to work extra hard and use more energy. Wring out the clothes or spin them in the clothes washer first.
• Fill but do not overfill, because too much clothing blocks airflow, lengthens drying time and overworks the machine.
• Sort your clothes by thickness - if possible, dry the thin, quick-drying items in one load and thicker items (such as towels) in another.
• Start your second load of drying as soon as the first is finished. That way the dryer will still be warm, and you'll save energy.
• Shake out the wet clothes before placing them in the dryer.
• Avoid over-drying your clothes. Use the automatic sensor control or experiment with your dryer's timer to determine how long it takes to dry a typical load. Reduce the drying time for lighter loads.
• To save money and reduce shrinking, use the "cool down" cycle, usually the "perma-press" setting. Here, the heat is off for the last few minutes and drying continues as cool air is blown through tumbling clothes.
• Always do full loads. Drying partial loads wastes energy. Try to organize your washing and drying so that the dryer is full.