By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Consider a gas-powered dryer. While they cost $30 to $80 more than electric models and may be more expensive to repair, they are cheaper to operate and generally work well.
Step2
Consider how much noise the dryer makes and where in your home it will be located.
Step3
Select a dryer monitored by a moisture sensor rather than just the thermostat, which raises the temperature as the clothes dry and shortens their life. The moisture sensor turns off the dryer when the clothes are done.
Step4
Make sure the lint filter is easy to reach and clean.
Step5
Look to consumer magazines or Web sites for repair histories of particular brands. Your $300 to $600 investment should last you at least 20 years.
Step6
Shop for a dryer on which the controls are easy to read and use. The touch-pad types tend to be a little more expensive.
Step7
Find a model that has a large drum and a wide opening, as well as automatic cycles and a signal that the cycle has ended - usually a buzzer.
Step8
Compare prices from department and appliance stores with Web site options.
Step9
Make sure to get a good warranty.