Do your clothes take forever to dry? Are your energy costs increasing? Worried your dryer is experiencing too much wear running cycle after cycle? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got some simple things you implement into your laundry routine to help your dryer run more efficiently and save you some money on energy costs in the process.
🧺 Clean Your Lint Filter
A clogged filter can cause your dryer to work a lot harder and much less efficiently, so be sure to clean it off after each load of laundry. This is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your dryer’s efficiency because a clogged lint filter can reduce the dryer’s airflow, making it work harder to dry your clothes.
We also suggest taking out the lint trap and washing it monthly with soap and water. Let it fully dry, then put it back into your dryer to enjoy some heightened efficiency. Despite looking clean, lint trap pores can become quite clogged due to the chemicals in your dryer balls and dryer sheets.
🧺 Check for Dryer Vent Blockages
The dryer vent is the pipe that carries hot air and lint from the dryer to the outside of your home. If the vent is blocked, the hot air and lint can’t escape, causing the dryer to work harder and take longer to dry clothes. In addition, a blocked vent can be a fire hazard, as well as encourage carbon monoxide leaks.
Take a look at the vent’s exit on the outside of your home and make sure it is unblocked and free to let that hot air out.
🧺 Have Your Dryer Vents Cleaned
Lint can accumulate in the vent over time, so a thorough cleaning every year will work wonders for the dryer’s efficiency. Call the crew here at West Tennessee Chimney to set up a time for us to come and clean it for you. We’ll also make sure that the vent is properly attached to your exterior vent hood.
Trust an expert for your vent cleanings is a must for ensuring the job is done thoroughly and accurately. DIY attempts could lead to vent damage, as well as a sustained risk of fire hazards or gas leaks if areas are missed.
🧺 Choose the Right Setting for the Job
Delicate fabrics need a delicate touch and heavy fabrics need a heavy-duty setting. Fortunately, your dryer has different settings for different types of fabrics. Using the correct setting can prevent damage to your clothes and save on energy costs. Take the time to learn the right settings for your laundry loads – it’ll be worth it!
🧺 Dry Similar Fabrics Together
Drying similar items together, like all jeans or all towels, can help your clothes to finish drying at the same time. If you have some delicate items and some heavy duty items together your light items will dry quickly and the items that are heavier will take longer. This means that your dryer will spend time drying clothes that are already dry.
By drying like with like you save energy by not drying things that are already dry – and your clothes will experience less wear too.
🧺 Don’t Over-dry Your Clothes
Over-drying can cause shrinkage and damage to your clothes, and it’s a waste of energy. To prevent over-drying, use the moisture sensor on your dryer or set a timer for a shorter amount of time. Moisture sensors work by measuring the humidity inside the dryer and automatically stopping the cycle when the clothes are dry. This can save energy and prevent over-drying.
🧺 Treat Yourself to a New Machine
If your dryer is more than 10 years old, it may be time to consider upgrading to a newer, more energy-efficient model. Newer models are often designed to use less energy and save you money on your energy bills. They also often come with newer features such as moisture sensors and specialized settings that can help improve the efficiency of the dryer.
That said – annual dryer vent cleanings will still be a must! If you’re investing in a new appliance, taking appropriate measuring to keep it running well is important. Be sure to call in our techs for regular vent cleanings, so your system isn’t forced to work harder than it needs to (and potentially break down prematurely in the process).
We’re Standing By & Ready for Your Call
We love serving homeowners all throughout Jackson and its surrounding areas. With our tips, you’ll be on your way to a more efficient and cost-effective dryer in no time. And if you ever have any issues, don’t hesitate to call West Tennessee Chimney.
Looking for chimney and fireplace advice too? We’d love to help. Reach out with any questions or to book your next chimney inspection or repair. We can be reached online or by calling 901-483-5113. Thanks for choosing us.
Recent Comments