How to Make Your Natural Gas Dryer More Efficient
A natural gas clothes dryer runs a gas burner to heat the air inside the dryer, while electricity spins the drum to tumble the load. While a natural gas dryer is more energy efficient than an electric dryer, this appliance remains the second-most expensive household appliance to operate. You can make your gas dryer more efficient with some simple steps. Most of the steps involve reducing waste and improving efficiency when using the dryer. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Reduce Waste
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Place the dryer in a clean, dry, heated area. A dryer in a cold or damp location must work harder to generate sufficient heat and disperse moisture.
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Vent the dryer directly outdoors. A short, straight exhaust vent is much more efficient than a lengthy vent with multiple angles and turns.
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3
Empty the lint screen after every load. According to the Consumer Energy Center, a full lint screen can waste 30 percent or more in energy.
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4
Avoid over-drying the laundry load. Wash and dry similarly-textured fabrics together. Use the cooling cycle in the final minutes of a load to take advantage of residual heat.
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Properly set your dryer's moisture sensor, if so equipped. This will keep the dryer from heating a load that is already sufficiently dry. According to the Department of Energy, a dryer running for an additional 15 minutes per load can cost almost $35 more a year.
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Dry only full loads. But don't overload the dryer as this makes it work harder.
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Transfer loads quickly, one after the other, to take advantage of the excess heat and prevent it from dissipating.
Clean the Dryer Vent and Duct System
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You should clean your dryer's exhaust vent pipes annually. Unplug the dryer and turn off the gas supply.
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Pull the dryer away from the wall, carefully, to expose the vent behind the dryer.
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Remove the clamp on the vent pipe that secures it to the dryer exhaust. Use a screwdriver if necessary.
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Shine a flashlight into the dryer exhaust opening and the flexible vent pipe, and inspect the pipe for lint build-up. Reach in with your hand to pull out any lint, or use a vacuum cleaner with attachments to remove the lint.
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Reattach the vent pipe to the dryer exhaust opening. Push the dryer back into its place near the wall.
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Go outside and locate the exhaust vent screen. Use a screwdriver to remove the screen.
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Shine a flashlight into the vent pipe and inspect it for lint. Use your hand to pull out any lint, or instead use a vacuum cleaner with attachments.
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Reattach the vent screen.
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Turn on the gas supply line, and plug the dryer into the electrical receptacle.
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Run the dryer for a few moments to ensure that all lint has been removed and there are no blockages.
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Repeat these steps yearly, or as needed.
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Tips & Warnings
To avoid electrical shock or gas leakage, unplug your dryer from its electrical source and turn off the gas supply.
References
- Photo Credit laundry dial image by Sirena Designs from Fotolia.com air conditioner vent image by Tammy Mobley from Fotolia.com
