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Dulley's Money-Saving Tip #1009

Using your clothes dryer efficiently

(related column topic links - 444, 559, 621)

You can save a considerable amount of energy in your laundry room by using your clothes less often and more efficiently -

1. Always fill the clothes dryer to capacity, but do not overload it. Overloading will increase drying time.
2. Keep the screen in the dryer clean. Remove the lint after every load. Lint buildup will impede the air flow through the dryer and increases drying time.
3. Keep the outside exhaust vent of your clothes dryer clean. Check it regularly. A clogged exhaust lengths the drying time and it can cause air leaks into your home when the dryer is not running.
4. If your dryer has an automatic dry cycle, use it. Overdrying merely wastes energy.
5. Dry your clothes in consecutive loads. Start-and-stop drying uses more energy because a lot of heat goes into warming up the dryer to the desired temperature each time you start it.