Quick tips for choosing an energy efficient dryer

Look for the energy star rating – the stars illustrate energy efficiency.
More stars = more savings!

Sensor technology stops the dryer as soon as clothes are dry to save energy and reduce clothing wear and tear caused by over-drying. A temperature sensor results in an energy saving of about 10% and a moisture sensor about 15% compared to drying using a timer.

Heat pump dryers are highly efficient – using less than half the energy of a conventional electric clothes dryer. Heat pump dryers are cheaper to run so they’re worth spending a bit more on – especially if you use the dryer a lot. A standard electric 5kg dryer used daily uses about 1500kWh per year and costs about $340 to run – a heat pump dryer costs about one-third as much.

Dyers with a Delay Start feature and quiet cycles can be run at night during off-peak electricity times to save energy.

Emptying the lint filter after each load ensures energy efficiency so easy access is important.

Combination washer-dryers are great for saving space in an apartment with one machine instead of two. Keep in mind that a drying load can only be about half the size of a wash. Beware of washer-dryers that use water in the drying phase to cool the drum and condense evaporated water – they can use more water for drying than washing.