Dryers - How to Choose the Best Dryer for Your Laundry Room

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN SELECTING A DRYER

How often do you use your dryer?

If your laundry consists of piles of heavy denim work clothes twice a week, you're going to be happier with a heavy duty clothes dryer that can handle the chore. Conversely, if you mainly fluff dry your lingerie and hand washables, then a dryer that features a series of delicate settings will work best for you.

Where is your dryer located?

If you have a small utility area or closet, then a compact or even stacking washer and dryer combo will be at the top of your shopping list. If your dryer will be located near the first floor baby's nursery, then by all means, look for a model that features quiet operation and an adjustable end-of-cycle buzzer that you can mute when needed.

Clothes dryers often come with fancy digital readouts and buttons. However, if your dryer will be located in an area of your home that is not well lit, you may find it difficult to read the display. Before you buy a new clothes dryer, make sure you can comfortably read all of the controls and that LCD readouts have the correct contrast for ease of use. Otherwise, you may prefer an old-fashioned knob or push button.

Double-check that lint filter!

The lint filter is the most important feature, but one of the most often overlooked functions in a clothes dryer. Make sure that the filter is large enough to capture lint properly and that it is easy to access and clean. Too many fires result from blocked lint filters and poor venting. 

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

Installation

In general, you're not going to want to spend extra money to have a professional alter your utility hook ups, so plan to buy a new clothes dryer that will work with your current configuration. Gas dryers require connection to a gas line, and a 120-volt outlet, while electric clothes dryers call for 240-volt installation. When budgeting for your new clothes dryer, don't forget to include delivery and installation costs (if any).

Gas dryers cost a little more on the purchase end, but tend to be less expensive to operate overall. They dry clothes a bit faster than electric clothes dryers, which can result in energy savings for your first year of ownership.

Take the time to carefully measure your space. The average clothes dryer measures about 26 or 27 inches in width. Compact and stackable dryers take up even less square footage. 

Capacity

There are a variety of stackable washer-dryer models available for small spaces. There is no single industry standard for what constitutes a large-capacity dryer versus an extra-large capacity dryer. Therefore, assess dryer models by cubic feet to make meaningful comparisons.

Don't purchase your new dryer without considering the capacity of your washing machine. If you have a compact washer, your best bet is to buy a clothes dryer that is no more than twice the washer's capacity. That way, you'll match your wash loads to your dryer, and have adequate dryer space to maximize its function. If you plan on replacing your existing washing machine in the near future, you may want to wait and purchase both units together to ensure that they complement each other.

With that said, purchase the largest dryer capacity that works for your needs. You'll appreciate having the extra space for your laundry to tumble dry more efficiently, and accommodate larger items (like comforters and slipcovers) that you may need to dry occasionally.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY - CONSIDERING ENERGY STAR DRYERS

According to the U.S. Department of Energy: "ENERGY STAR does not label clothes dryers because most of them use similar amounts of energy, which means there is little difference in energy use between models." Still, you can cut energy usage if you remember to:

• Dry heavier cottons and towels in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.
• Refrain from over-drying your clothes.
• Use a moisture sensor, if available on your clothes dryer.
• Improve air circulation by cleaning the lint filter after every load.
• Finish drying laundry by using the residual heat in the cool-down cycle.
• Periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked

Cost

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. However, that doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune to find a quality clothes dryer. You will find that even a basic dryer will offer standard features such as low, high and medium temperature settings, timed drying, and no-heat fluff cycles. Try out all of the knobs, buttons, and levers to test for quality and to make sure you can open, close, and operate the dryer without difficulty or discomfort.

DRYER FEATURES TO CONSIDER- WHICH ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU?

• Features - All clothes dryers are designed to tumble dry your laundry in some form or another, but these days, you'll find more features than ever before.

• Moisture Sensors - If you've ever forgotten you've got a load in the dryer (and who hasn't?) the moisture sensor feature is a true time saver. Rather than relying solely on thermostats or timers, the moisture sensor measures the interior humidity. This feature automatically stops the drying cycle when the moisture levels indicate that your wash is dry. This not only saves you from the hassles of wrinkled, over-dried clothes, but it also helps you save on energy.

• Digital Displays - Who doesn't love a feature like one-touch operation?  This feature lets you program your dryer more specifically to best suit your individual drying needs. Keep in mind, however, that electronic-rich appliances result in more expensive service calls if they malfunction.

• Temperature Settings - Most machines will offer you at least three choices (low, medium, and high) or (cotton, permanent press, and air dry).  Look for machines that also offer a cool-down cycle to help avoid wrinkling (and excess ironing).

• Quiet Operation - If you are at all sensitive to noise, consider buying a clothes dryer that offers additional insulation for quieter operation.  You may pay a little more, but it won't keep you up at night.

• Drying Racks - The newer, high-end dryers employ dryer racks to handle cumbersome items such as shoes or bulky baseball caps.  Rather than tumble noisily in the clothes dryer, your bulky items dry in place on the drying rack.  Quietly.

• Touch-up Cycle - Get rid of wrinkles without heading to the dry cleaners.  The touch up feature helps steam freshen clothes to eliminate wrinkles.  This is fast becoming a favorite feature for busy professionals and frequent travelers who need their clothes touched up, but don't have the time for a full wash/dry cycle or a trip to the cleaners.  If it saves on dry cleaning bills, it may be worth the premium price to have this option.

• Warranty - Pay close attention to the manufacturer's warranty as you make your final decision. In general, most clothes dryers come with a one year warranty for parts and labor. Many retailers also offer additional limited warranties that you can add onto the purchase price. Think carefully before you purchase an extended warranty. Make sure you know what parts are covered, whether or not labor is included, and the time period that the coverage is in effect. If you plan to operate your new dryer with frequent, heavy-duty loads, or if you are buying a dryer with complicated and sensitive electronic controls, you may want to invest in the extended warranty. Otherwise, you may decide to pass. Just remember to make a fully informed decision.

What are people saying about their dyers? READ DRYER REVIEWS...

• Kenmore Dryers 
• LG Dryers
• Maytag Dryers
• Whirlpool Dryers
• Frigidaire Dryers
• Samsung Dryers
• Bosch Dryers
• Roper Dryers
• Admiral Dryers
• GE Dryers
• All Clothes Dryer Brands

SNEAK PEEK AT FEEDBACK BY BRAND:

Kenmore Dryers

Pros

* Easy to use
* Long lasting
* Fast-drying
* Dependable

Cons

* Door hard to open
* Dryer turns off too soon

LG Dryers

Pros

* Very quiet
* Great choice of cycles
* Dries fast
* Moisture sensor and cool down feature

Cons

* Finicky filter trap
* Buzzer can be too loud

Maytag Dryers

Pros

* Reliable
* Lots of features - 12 cycles, moisture sensor, cool-down
* King size bedding fits
* Fast and easy

Cons

* No dryer rack for tennis shoes
* Beeper with a mind of its own

Whirlpool Dryers

Pros

* Front-loading
* Quiet mode
* Amazingly efficient quick dry
* Super capacity
* Oversized door make loading/unloading easier

Cons

* Love dryer, but had service problems

Buying a clothes dryer is not a purchase to be taken lightly. Like washing machines, dryers are a major investment for an appliance that can add convenience and efficiency to your household chores. Choosing the best dryer for your home means that you can take good care of the clothes you own so that they'll look better, longer. Energy-saving dryers can help you save money and respect the environment. Whether you ultimately select a matching washer/dryer, a stackable dryer, an electric dryer, a gas dryer, a tumble dryer, a steam dryer, a large capacity dryer, or a High Efficiency (HE) dryer it pays to do your research ahead of time.