Dryers are a household staple, but they can also be one of the most energy-consuming appliances in your home. In fact, clothes dryers are thought to account for about 6% of the total energy used in the average American home. But with a few simple tips, you can make your dryer more efficient and save money on your monthly energy bills.
🧺 Clear the Lint Filter Before Each Use
One of the easiest ways to improve your dryer’s efficiency is to clean the lint filter before each use. A clogged filter reduces airflow and causes the dryer to work harder, which can lead to longer drying times and higher energy bills. It also increases the risk of fire by overheating your overworked dryer. To clean the filter, simply remove it from the dryer and use a brush or your fingers to remove any buildup of lint or debris.
🧺 Deep Clean the Lint Filter Every Month
Did you know that all those wrinkle free dryer sheets have a chemical in them that will clog the pores of your lint trap? In fact, the chemical itself is invisible to the naked eye. Each month, take your lint trap out and clean it with water. (Just make sure the lint trap is fully dry before using it again.)
🧺 Dry Multiple Consecutive Loads
It takes energy for a dryer to heat up. Doing a number of loads, one right after the other, will lower the time needed to heat up the dryer, resulting in lower energy costs. It also lowers the time needed to dry the clothes which again means – you guessed it – lower energy costs.
🧺 Use Dryer Balls
Dryer balls are a great way to improve the efficiency of your dryer. They help to separate clothes as they dry, which allows hot air to circulate more easily and reduces the need for additional drying time. Dryer balls also help to reduce static and can even soften clothes without the use of fabric softener.
🧺 Don’t Overstuff
Another simple way to improve your dryer’s efficiency is to not overstuff it. When the dryer is too full, clothes won’t have enough room to move around and dry properly. This can lead to longer drying times and higher energy bills. A good rule of thumb is to only dry as many clothes as you can comfortably fit in your arms.
🧺 Use the Right Heat Settings
Why dryer settings have the best efficiency? Many people are guilty of using the highest heat setting on their dryer, but this is actually one of the worst things you can do for your energy bill. Instead, use the lowest heat setting that still gets your clothes dry. This will not only save energy but it will also help to prolong the life of your clothes.
This may take some trial and error, but once you get it right, it will be worth it.
🧺 Utilize Your Washer’s Spin Cycle
Have you ever opened your washer to reveal clothes that are still sopping wet? This usually happens when loads are uneven or overloaded. It may be tempting to simply toss the dripping laundry into the dryer, but this puts a lot of wear on the appliance.
Rather, remove some of the items or rearrange them to even things out, then run a spin cycle again. It’ll add some extra time to your laundry day, but it’ll be well worth it.
🧺 Dry Full Loads
So, yes, you shouldn’t overload your dryer. But you should also avoiding under-loading too.
It’s always more efficient to dry full loads of clothes rather than smaller loads. This is because the dryer needs to heat up a certain amount of air to dry clothes, regardless of how many are in there, and it’s more efficient to heat up that air for one large load than for several small loads. Additionally, drying a full load means that you’ll use your dryer less often, which will save energy over time.
🧺 Have the Dryer Vent Professionally Cleaned
It is extremely important to have your dryer vents professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Lint and other debris can build up in the vent, reducing the airflow and making the dryer work harder, which then costs you more in energy usage.
On top of this, clogged dryer vents increase the risk of overheating, fires in the home, and carbon monoxide leaks. Hire a professional from English Sweep to clean the vent properly and with the correct tools.
Schedule With Us Today
Dryers are a convenient household appliance but they can consume a lot of energy. By implementing the tips above, you can improve your dryer’s efficiency, save money on your energy bill, and even reduce your carbon footprint.
The sweeps at English Sweep are experts in creating energy efficient homes. We are here to help you save on energy costs, while maximizing the value of your home while we’re at it. It is our desire to see our communities thrive.
Call us today at 636-535-2038 with any questions you have about the services we offer. You can also schedule online. Thanks for choosing us!
Recent Comments