Here's how to minimize the energy consumption of your tumble dryer

The clothes dryer is one of the main culprits when it comes to electricity bills. A family that uses a dryer regularly had to reckon with three-figure euro amounts for electricity costs last year alone. The potential for savings here is therefore enormous.

1. The most economical appliance: the heat pump dryer

As already explained here, a modern heat pump dryer is so much more economical that a new purchase pays for itself after just four years.

2. Spin cycle helps with drying.

On the other hand, you can shorten the drying time by spinning the laundry vigorously in the washing machine. You can adjust the spin speed on your washing machine. The higher this number, the lower the residual moisture level the dryer will have to operate with.

3. Combine dryer and clothesline

You can now shorten the drying time by selecting a higher residual moisture level for your laundry. This residual moisture can then easily dissipate into the room air by removing the laundry from the dryer while it's still warm. An intelligent combination of DRY-SMART and a heat pump dryer goes even further: Heat the laundry thoroughly in the dryer and remove it after about half the drying time to finish drying it on a clothes rack. This way, you still save half the electricity without increasing your heating bills. Nevertheless, you should ensure that the rooms are well-ventilated so that the moist air can escape. Since the laundry is already partially dry, you can close the windows much sooner than you would without a dryer.

4. Solar energy dries and cleans

Besides providing free drying, the sun's UV radiation offers another advantage: sunlight bleaches laundry naturally. This makes stains like carrot stains disappear completely. UV light also neutralizes bacteria and other germs. Your laundry will have a fresh, clean scent that you would otherwise have to replicate in a dryer using disinfectants and similar additives.

5. Pay attention to heating costs in winter.

Heating energy also costs money. We wouldn't gain anything if we could dry our laundry without using electricity but then had to heat our homes more. In the winter months, a tumble dryer therefore seems even more attractive. A heat pump dryer can also heat the bathroom, allowing you to use the electrical energy a second time.

But even in winter, you can save money with a DRY-SMART : It's important to know that you don't need high temperatures for drying your laundry. You can use the DRY-SMART on your balcony even in sub-zero temperatures. While it will take longer to dry, the frost will give your laundry a pleasant freshness. The wind also helps to keep the laundry moving evenly, making the fibers soft and fluffy. So, with a rain-protected outdoor spot for your clothesline, you can dry your laundry completely without using any additional energy, even in winter.

6. A clothesline can make ironing easier.

Ironing shirts is also easier and therefore more energy-efficient if you dry them carefully on hangers instead of using a tumble dryer. Even dryers that promise wrinkle-free drying only save you from ironing if you manage to remove the clothes immediately after the cycle finishes and reshape them while they're still warm. Many tumble dryers therefore offer a special anti-crease function. This involves repeatedly reheating and airing the clothes for several hours, which naturally increases energy consumption significantly. However, once a shirt is carefully "ironed" while still wet—that is, hung on a hanger—you can forget about it until you have time to deal with it again.

Conclusion

Especially during the winter months, using an energy-efficient heat pump dryer can be a sensible option in some apartments. However, you'll achieve the lowest energy consumption year-round with a clothes drying rack like the DRY-SMART . Because it's cleverly mounted on the ceiling, it doesn't even take up more space than the electric dryer.