GBA Logo horizontal Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram YouTube Icon Navigation Search Icon Main Search Icon Video Play Icon Plus Icon Minus Icon Picture icon Hamburger Icon Close Icon Sorted

Community and Q&A

Where are the energy-efficient clothes dryers?

Vr4gKrVQ6o | Posted in Green Products and Materials on

I cannot find any information or recommendations on efficient clothes dryers. Does anyone have a good source?

GBA Prime

Join the leading community of building science experts

Become a GBA Prime member and get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Robert,
    I use an ordinary rope. If you prefer, you can buy an old-fashioned line with a pulley or one of those umbrella-shaped clotheslines.

  2. Pam | | #2

    Project Laundry List seems like a pretty good resource: http://store.laundrylist.org/

  3. Kopper37 | | #3

    Robert,
    In short, there's no such thing as an energy efficient clothes dryer because they are all energy hogs. Supposedly the condensing dryers use less energy, but I haven't found an energy guide label to prove this fact. Heat pump dryers are available in other countries, but not in the U.S.

    See the Energy Star guidelines here:

    http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=clotheswash.clothes_washers_performance_tips

    Hanging them outside is always the best option. If you follow the link below you'll find some other possibilities, including indoor drying cabinets and dehumidification rooms. These are not packaged products, rather they are site built systems:

    https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/community/forum/passivhaus/16850/passivhaus-clothes-dryers

  4. Expert Member
    Michael Maines | | #4

    The choice of washing machine makes a big difference too. Horizontal-axis machines typically spin clothes much dryer than vertical-axis machines. I've also heard there is a resurgence in traditional wringer-type washer/dryers, which are available with electrically powered wringers.

Log in or create an account to post an answer.

Community

Recent Questions and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |