Choosing and using an Energy Efficient Tumble Dryer

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energy efficient tumble dryer
The best energy efficient tumble dryer, causing the least environmental impact, is to use the wind and sunshine to dry your clothes but as there are many days when the rain is lashing down or the sun is hidden by dark clouds, a tumble dryer is most useful.

An energy efficient tumble dryer works by passing heated air through clothing to remove moisture. The tumbling action of the rotating drum ensures that all of the laundry is exposed to the hot air for even drying. The resulting steam is vented to the outside or turned into water and collected in a reservoir or pumped into the drainage system.

Using an Energy Efficient Dryer in the most Energy Saving Way

• Always check the manufacturer’s instructions on the placement, usage, maintenance and ventilation requirements for the dryer.
• Clean the removable filter after every drying cycle.
• Regularly check the cleanliness of the ducting both along the pipe and at the place of exit to the fresh air.
• Follow all drying instructions carefully on the fabric labels.

Energy Ratings

The largest cost of an energy efficient dryer isn't its purchase price, it is the energy used by the dryer over its lifetime

• Energy Star, a United State government programme is concerned with energy efficiency in consumer products, but does not rate clothes dryers.
• The European Union (EU) energy labelling system is applied to dryers. Dryers are classified with a label from A to G (A being the best) according to the amount of energy used per kilogram of clothes (kWh/kg). An "A" rated tumble dryer will use about twenty-five percent less electricity than a "C" rated dryer.
• The EU energy label also lists the dryer's capacity, water consumption, and noise made (in decibels) while washing.
• "Energy Saving Recommended Labels". These dryers surpass the EU "A" label standard.
• The Energy Saving Trust also labels the most efficient dryers.

Electric and Gas Tumble Dryers

Basically, gas dryers work in the same way as electric vented tumble dryers. They use mains gas to heat the air inside the dryer, but electricity is used to turn the drum and power the control panel. This energy efficient dryer is cheaper to run than most electric tumble dryers but it does need to be near both gas and electricity outlets. These models are only be of the freestanding type.
• Electricity powered tumble dryers can be built-in or freestanding, condensing or vented.
• Domestic dryers with a machine size of H85 x W60 x D60cm have a load capacity of 6Kg (13lbs).
• Compact models will dry around 3kg and larger ones are available to suit families with greater laundry requirements.

Air Vented Dryers

• Many tumble dryers are vented directly to the outside. The hot, moist air is taken from the wash and ejected through a hose linked to an external pipe or a window.
• Some machines give you a choice of both a back and a front venting outlet. A front outlet may be easier if you have to direct the hose out of a window, while a back outlet is appropriate if the machine vents through a specially made hole in an outside wall.

• Condensing dryers collect the water from the drying cycle and store it in a container within the machine. This container requires emptying after every drying cycle, or depending on the positioning of the dryer, this water can be discarded into the drainage system.
• Condenser dryers are a particularly attractive option where unwieldy ducting would be required to vent a traditional dryer. Condensing dryers are usually more expensive to buy and also more expensive to run but are popular as they can be placed anywhere in the house in the vicinity of a power outlet.

• Mini Freezer
  
• Cheap Fridge Freezers
  
• Hot Water Heater
  
• Refrigerator
  
• Small Freezer
  
• Large and Small Chest Freezers
  
• Energy Efficient Chest Freezers
  
• Dishwasher
  
• Washing machine and Tumble Dryer

Freestanding Energy Efficient Dryer

All gas powered tumble dryers are freestanding as they are air vented appliances.
• Electricity powered models can be freestanding, or can be stacked over a washing machine.
• They can also be integrated into the kitchen units if the tumble has an outside vent or is a condensing model.

Sensors, Timers and Features for Energy Efficient Tumble Dryers

• Every energy effient tumble dryer has a timer where you choose how long you think the wet laundry will take to dry. Most of these timers go up to 120 minutes. As it is difficult to get the timing just right, it is now possible to buy tumble dryers with automatic sensors.
• Most dryers manufactured today use a moisture sensor that can automatically sense that clothes are dry and then switches off the dryer. These sensor dryers are normally available for both condenser and vented models.
• Energy efficient tumble dryers features will vary with every model but most will include; ‘Easy Iron’ and ‘Anti Crease’ and ‘Reverse Drum Action’ (to minimise tangling and creasing).

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