Ask Focus on Energy

In terms of saving money, gas is the way to go.

While the amount of energy gas and electric clothes dryers use does not vary much from model to model, the cost to operate them does. If you define better as cheaper to operate, gas dryers win. Electric dryers may cost less to purchase but a gas dryer costs about $50 less to operate per year, based on electric and natural gas prices in Wisconsin.

Because dryers do not vary much from model to model, they are not required to display the EnergyGuide label and also are not ENERGY STAR qualified. However, a dryer is typically the second-biggest electricity-using appliance after the refrigerator so learning how you use and maintain them can have a big impact on their energy use.

One thing that makes a big difference in the energy use of a dryer is the amount of time the dryer operates. Here are three ways to help reduce the time a dryer operates:

• Buy a model that senses dryness and automatically shuts off rather than counting on you to estimate the time it will take. Most of the better quality dryers today include this feature.
• Use an ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer. Higher spin-speeds in very efficient washers are designed to remove more water, reducing drying time.
• Use a clothes line! This is one of the cheapest means of drying clothes and uses no appliance what-so-ever. Using the heat of the sun and drying power of breezes, clothes lines are making a comeback in many backyards.

Published Monday, May 11, 2009