While Energy Star says there is no difference between in the efficiency of clothes dryers, that doesn’t mean all dryer will use the same amount of energy. Several features that may or may not come with a dryer will affect efficiency.
It pays to look for dryers that have moisture sensors, air dry options and cool down or perma-press cycles. They’ll reduce energy consumption and take better care of your clothes.
A dryer with moisture sensor
As I’ve recently decided in favor of a Kenmore electric clothes washer I’m going to look for matching dryers from the same producer. The one that stands out is a 7 cubic foot model for $391 (right) that has moisture sensing and air dry, but no permanent press. (You could spend about $60 less and get none of these features).
Let me add quickly that my standards for matching are not common. As washers and dryers tend to come as a set, their designs are likely to be identical.
My first pick in dryers isn’t the twin of my first choice in washers. My number one selection in washers was a front loader, which invariably means having a window in front unlike the windowless dryer above.
Perfect matches may cost more
However, my second choice was a top loader, so maybe my top should become first. It’s less efficient, but, hey, it’s cheaper. The alternative – picking a window dryer – will cost $599 (right) or $208 more for a dryer with 6.7 cubic feet and the twin of my front loader pick. It only has moisture sensors; no air dry or permanent press.
The bottom line is that if you want this window combo it’ll cost $1320. If it doesn’t matter if you can see the tumbling in washer or dryer it’ll cost you $878 or about a third less. You want windowed-front loader and windowless dryer it’s $1,111 – about in the middle.
It’s plenty to pick from and that’s just one low-range set of possibilities from one manufacturer. You can find similar package offered by many other manufacturers.
When last I did this search – in May – I came up with a similar-sized window set from Maytag for $1,318. The washer was a discontinued model and the colors were different, but you can’t have it all.
Tags: Energy Star, Kenmore, Maytag