Energy-efficient appliances can save homeowners on their utility costs each month while also reducing energy waste. The washer and dryer account for 13 percent of the home’s energy consumption each month. Upgrading to energy-efficient washers and dryers can help lower costs and help homeowners embrace an eco-friendlier lifestyle, too.

Dryers can be powered by either electric or gas. For those whose clothes are dried via electric power, here’s how to find the best energy-efficient electric dryer.

• Look for the ENERGY STAR label
• Use the ENERGY STAR site to sort options by efficiency
• Research prices to find the best dryer for the budget

Look for the ENERGY STAR Label

The most efficient appliances typically bear the ENERGY STAR label. The iconic star emblem means that the appliance has been vetted and meets the criteria for the label’s energy efficiency requirements. ENERGY STAR dryers use 20 percent less energy than dryers without the label.

When shopping for a new dryer, look for the ENERGY STAR label to ensure that homeowners are selecting the most efficient appliance.

Use the ENERGY STAR Website to Sort Models By Efficiency

Homeowners who want the most efficient dryer can find all their options via the ENERGY STAR website. The site also lets homeowners sort the models to view the most efficient options at the top of the page.

However, not all models are a fit for every home. Check the measurements of models to ensure that it fits in the home. Some condos or apartments only have a small area for the washer and dryer. Homeowners don’t want to order a dryer only to discover that it’s too big.

Research Prices Online to Find the Most Affordable Options

Once buyers understand which models fit into their space, they can search online to find each model’s price to determine if it fits the homeowner’s budget.

Different stores could offer sales or special promotions. However, the supply chain could still be disrupted and some models could be more difficult to find or order. Homeowners also should take into account any delivery charges that could increase their costs.

How to Be More Energy-Efficient When Doing Laundry

Even the most energy-efficient appliances can be used inefficiently. While ENERGY STAR appliances use less energy than standard appliances, bad habits from homeowners might still lead to energy waste.

These wasteful habits include:

• Drying clothes more than once. Homeowners might forget about clothing in the dryer. For this reason, try to avoid doing laundry late at night when it’s easy to leave clothes in the dryer.
• Not cleaning the dryer vent. A vent that’s full of lint isn’t just a fire hazard but it also can impact the efficiency of the dryer. Clean the vent at least once per year, and clean the lint trap after every dry cycle. Some homes might not have more frequent vent cleanings.
• Washing a partial load of laundry. Washing a small load just wastes water and energy. Opt to wash only full loads.
• Washing clothes in hot water when it’s unnecessary. For some stains and clothing, the hot water cycler is necessary for health and sanitation purposes. Hot water kills bacteria and helps remove stains. However, using hot water on clothes that don’t need the warmer temperature could lead to items that shrink and energy waste. Use colder water when it’s safe and recommended.

Other Ways to Save

One of the best ways to save money when doing laundry is to avoid using the dryer. How is this possible? Some clothing shouldn’t be dried, because it’s delicate; these items can be laid flat to dry.

During warm summer days, homeowners also could install a clothesline to dry some of their items. Not only does this take some heat off the dryer, but it could give clothes a fresh summer scent, too. Swimsuits and pool towels could be easy items to hang up on the clothesline.

Homeowners also need to be mindful of dryer cycle times. Not all clothes need an hour to dry. Homeowners might choose the ‘optimum dry’ setting to ensure that clothes are dried perfectly.

How Long will an Energy-Efficient Dryer Last?

If homeowners are investing in an energy-efficient dryer, they might be curious how long their eco-friendly investment will last. Sears Home Services estimates that dryers should last about 10 to 13 years.

To ensure dryers stay functional, homeowners need to make sure they maintain the appliance. A dirty vent could cause a heating element to burn out; this might be too expensive to repair, and the homeowner could be forced to replace the appliance.

While energy-efficient dryers save energy and money, homeowners need to care for their appliance to ensure that it doesn’t need to be frequently replaced or constantly serviced.