Discover Ways to Save Money When Using Clothing Dryers in California

Clothing dryers tend to typically be one of the most expensive home appliances to operate, accounting for about 6% of your total electricity usage every month! Unlike other appliances, clothes dryers don’t really vary much difference from model to model in amount of energy used. Clothes dryers are also not required to display the EnergyGuide labels. However, this does not mean that the amount of energy consumed is not important.

Did you know? It typically costs 32¢-41¢ to dry a load of laundry in an electrical dryer? Also that it takes 15¢-33¢ in a gas dryer depending on the size of the load and fabric consistency.

Over the expected lifetime of 18 years, your average clothes dryer will cost you about $1,530 to operate. To help minimize your annual operational costs, choose a clothes dryer with the right design and energy saving features, and operate it efficiently to save the most in electrical costs!

Facts & Tips

Tips to help you save money monthly by doing things the Safe-Way:

  • Make sure your dryer is vented properly. If you vent the exhaust outside, use the straightest and shortest metal duct available. Flexible vinyl duct isn’t recommended because it restricts the airflow, can be crushed, and may not withstand high temperatures from the dryer.
  • Locate your dryer in a heated space to help reduce the load on your dryer. Putting it in a cold or damp basement or an unheated garage will make the dryer work harder and less efficiently to dry your clothing.
  • Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation and efficiency. Try regularly clean the lint from vent hoods.
  • Check the outside dryer exhaust vent from time to time. If it doesn’t close tightly, replace it with one that does to keep the outside air from leaking in. This will reduce heating and cooling bills!
  • Dry only full loads, as small loads are less economical. If you have a small load, hang dry it instead. Additionally, do not overload your dryer, as this will make your dryer work harder, which will cost you more money in electricity.
  • When drying, separate your clothes and dry similar types of clothes together. Lightweight synthetics, for example, dry much more quickly than bath towels and natural fiber clothes.
  • Dry two or more loads continuously, taking advantage of the dryer’s retained heat will allow you to save money on electricity!
  • Use the cool-down cycle (perma-press cycle) to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer. This will allow you to save money on electricity!
  • Use a clothesline and let the heat of the sun dry your clothes! This is by far the best tip we can give you to save you money every month. Do it right! Do it the Safe-Way!