For the first time, ENERGY STAR is certifying clothes dryers. Starting this past President’s Day weekend, 45 models of ENERGY STAR certified dryers, from five different manufacturers, were available in stores nationwide. ENERGY STAR certified dryers include gas, electric and compact models, and incorporate innovative energy saving technologies, such as moisture sensors that detect when clothes are dry and automatically shut the dryer off. Dryers use more energy than any other appliance in the home, and since 80 percent of American homes own dryers, the savings potential is huge. With over 5 million dryers being soil last year, the new certified clothes dryers represent a great new opportunity for energy savings in the U.S.
For the first time, ENERGY STAR is certifying clothes dryers. Starting this past President’s Day weekend, 45 models of ENERGY STAR certified dryers, from five different manufacturers, were available in stores nationwide. ENERGY STAR certified dryers include gas, electric and compact models, and incorporate innovative energy saving technologies, such as moisture sensors that detect when clothes are dry and automatically shut the dryer off.
Dryers use more energy than any other appliance in the home, and since 80 percent of American homes own dryers, the savings potential is huge. With over 5 million dryers being soil last year, the new certified clothes dryers represent a great new opportunity for energy savings in the U.S.
To earn the Energy Star label, products must be certified by an EPA-recognized third party, based on testing in an EPA-recognized laboratory.
Dryers earning the new ENERGY STAR label are at least 20 percent more efficient than conventional models. Compared to a standard new dryer, an ENERGY STAR {certified} electric dryer can save 1,900 kWh of electricity and $190 in energy bill costs. Also, compared to a standard new dryer, an ENERGY STAR {certified} gas dryer can save more than 6 million BTUs of natural gas and $65 in energy bills costs.
If all residential clothes dryers sold in the U.S. were ENERGY STAR certified, Americans could save $1.5 billion each year in utility costs and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to more than 2 million vehicles.
Replacing your old clothes dryer with a new ENERGY STAR {certified} model can save you $245. It will cost you $75 per year to dry your clothes with your new full size electric ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryer. If you have a standard electric clothes dryer that is more than 10 years old, it’s costing you, on average, $100.
If all clothes dryers 10 years and older in the US were replaced with ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryers, we would save more than $570 million and prevent 7 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually. This is equal to the emissions from 670,000 vehicles or the annual electricity use of 440,000 homes!
ENERGY STAR certified dryers feature improved sensors which more effectively stop the drying cycle when the load is dry, preventing over-drying and reducing energy waste. The ENERGY STAR can also be found on dryers that feature new advanced heat pump technology, making them 40 percent more efficient than conventional models.
Find out more at ENERGY STAR.
Dryer image via Shutterstock.
