gas_dryer_efficient : Gas dryer vs electric dryer
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Electric clothes dryers are typically one of the most expensive home appliances to operate, accounting for about 6% of total electricity usage. It typically costs 30 to 40 cents to dry a load of laundry in an electric dryer and approximately 15 to 20 cents in a gas dryer. Over its expected lifetime of 18 years, the average clothes dryer will cost you approximately $1,530 to operate. To minimize your utility bills, choose a clothes dryer with the right design features and operate it efficiently.
All dryers work essentially the same way — they tumble clothes through heated air to remove moisture. But there are two ways to create the heat needed to dry clothes — gas or electricity. Electric dryers use heating coils to supply heat. Gas dryers use a gas burner. Gas dryers cost approximately $50 more to purchase than electric models, but since natural gas is (currently) cheaper than electricity, gas dryers cost less to run over their lifetime. Depending on the current utility rate, a gas dryer can save you more than $100 per year over the course of its 13-year life span.
The energy efficiency of a clothes dryer is measured by a term called the Energy Factor (EF), measured in pounds of clothing per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity. The federal standard minimum EF for a standard capacity electric dryer is 3.01. For gas dryers, the minimum EF is 2.67. (The rating for gas dryers is provided in kilowatt-hours, even though the primary source of fuel is natural gas). Many new clothes dryers have moisture sensors in the drum for sensing dryness, while most only estimate dryness by sensing the temperature of the exhaust air. With a moisture sensor, your dryer will turn off when the humidity in the drum is removed. Compared with timed drying, you can save about 10% with a temperaturee sensing control and 15% with a moisture sensing control. Dry full loads, but don't over-fill. Drying partial loads can use almost as much energy as full loads, and overloading can increase drying times. Don't over-dry your clothes. Over-drying can waste energy, increase shrinkage and shorten the life span of your clothes. Clean the lint filter after each load to improve air circulation, increase energy efficiency and reduce the risk of fire. Separate heavy from light-weight fabrics for faster, even drying. Use the moisture sensor feature instead of timed drying. Dry two or more loads in a row to take advantage of the heat remaining in the dryer after the first load. Consider hanging clothes outside on a clothesline whenever the sun is shining and it isn't freezing outside.
Choosing a gas dryer instead of an electric one can save you up to 50% in laundry-related energy costs. If the dryer has a moisture sensor, you can save an additional 15%. Four brands — GE, Maytag, Kenmore (Sears) and Whirlpool — account for just over 80% of dryer sales. Other brands include Amana (owned by Maytag), Frigidaire (owned by Electrolux), Hotpoint (made by General Electric), KitchenAid and Roper (both made by Whirlpool). Evaluate the household's clothes drying needs. If you generally run full loads in the clothes washer, size the dryer to be compatible with the clothes washer. The dryer should be sized to handle one load from the washer and allow the clothes to tumble freely. Don't buy a dryer that is too small because you will simply run more loads and miss the energy savings. Consider buying a natural gas dryer. You can save up to 50% of your laundry energy costs. Look for a moisture-sensor. This feature is now available on most new clothes dryers and can save you up to 15% over standard timed drying. Consider buying a new washing machine with advanced spin cycles.The most efficient clothes washer models on the market now have advanced spin cycles that remove more water from clothes before they are placed into a dryer.
A new concept is the Microwave clothes dryer, which works on the same principle as a microwave oven. Instead of passing warm air over the clothes, microwaves directly evaporate all water present in the laundry. Microwave clothes dryers use about 17 to 25% less energy and dry clothes about 25% faster than conventional electric air dryers. To avoid the problems with metal objects, prototypes switch to electric resistance heaters when the clothes are almost dry. These new dryers cost from $30 to $395 more than conventional models, and technical issues need to be resolved before these are available on the market. Heat-pump dryers use a refrigerant cycle to dehumidify the recapture heat from the exhausted air, which is then recycled through the dryer. Heat-pump dryers look like conventional dryers but require only 100 to 120 V power and can be installed anywhere in the house. These units may save 60% of the energy required to dry clothes conventionally, but may cost $300 more than a new gas dryer. They are currently in a prototype stage for residential applications.
The US Dept. of Energy states on their site: Did you know that the typical U.S. family spends close to $1,500 a year on home utility bills?
Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted. And electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars. And as for the road, transportation accounts for 66% of all U.S. oil consumption. The good news is, there is a lot you can do to save energy and money at home and in your car. By making a few small changes, you (or them) can reduce your energy costs by 10% to 50%, and, at the same time, help reduce air pollution and dependence on foreign fuel imports.
The key to achieving these savings in your home is a whole-house energy efficiency plan. To take a whole-house approach, view your home as an energy system with interdependent parts. For example, your heating system is not just a furnace—it's a heat-delivery system that starts at the furnace and delivers heat throughout your home using a network of ducts. Even a top-of-the-line, energy-efficient furnace will burn a lot of fuel if the ducts, walls, attic, windows, and doors are not insulated and leak. Taking a whole-house approach to saving energy ensures that dollars you invest to save energy are spent wisely.
Energy-efficient improvements not only make your home more comfortable, they can yield long-term financial rewards. Reduced utility bills more than make up for the higher price of energy-efficient appliances and improvements over their lifetimes. In addition, your home could bring in a higher price when you sell. This booklet shows you how easy it is to reduce your energy use at home and on the road. The easy, practical solutions for saving energy include tips you can use today, throughout your home—from the roof, walls, and insulation that enclose it to the appliances and lights inside. Please, take a few moments to read the valuable tips in this booklet to start saving energy and money today.
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