Washers may get the stains out of clothes, but dryers get them ready to wear again. A good dryer handles everything from socks to comforters and keeps your clothes looking sharp and wrinkle free cycle after cycle. Some dryers even offer steam cycles which help reduce wrinkles and refresh clothing between washes. Before purchasing one, consider the frequency with which you’ll be using the appliance, where you’re placing it and what kinds of clothes you’ll be drying. Choosing a reliable dryer is important to maintaining your wardrobe, so ask yourself these simple questions before you bring one home:

• How many loads of laundry do you do each week?
• Do you expect your family size to expand in the near future?
• Where will you place the unit and how much space is available?
• Will the dryer be placed near a living area where quiet operation is important?
• Do you want to place the dryer next to the washer or stack the two appliances?

Front-Load vs. Top-Load

Front-load dryers have rapidly become the popular choice for many consumers because they deliver higher energy efficiency and significant cost savings over their lifetime. Most front-load dryers have large drums that hold big laundry loads, reducing drying time and related utility costs. Many front load models also have higher spin speeds and gentler tumbling actions, which reduce wear and tear on fabrics and wrinkles in clothes. Because they are stackable, front-load dryers are an excellent solution when space is an issue. Some models come with a pedestal to raise the unit, making it easier to reach inside the dryer and which provide an extra storage drawer for laundry supplies.

Location and Style

Where laundry rooms were once hidden away in the garage or damp basements, the growing trend in new construction and remodeling is to place laundry rooms in more accessible and visible areas of the home. Placing the laundry room near kitchen pantries or second floor bedrooms provides increased convenience, saving time and stair climbing with heavy loads of laundry. As a result of this new trend, style and color have become important issues for consideration. Manufacturers have responded by replacing the traditional white box design with an array of stylish, colorful models with striking chrome accents and metallic paint finishes. Most come in sets with matching washing machines.

Dryer Types and Operating Tips

There are two types of dryers, gas and electric. Both possess an electric motor that powers the drum in which clothes tumble, an electric fan to circulate the heated air and a vent that pushes hot air outside. Where they differ is how they create heat. Which one you choose depends primarily on where you plan to place the unit and what type of hookups are available.

Gas Dryers: Gas dryers require you to have a gas hookup nearby. This is something you’ll need to have a professional install if one doesn’t already exist. Gas units tend to require a higher upfront investment than their electric counterparts but use less energy and can cost half as much on average to operate per load. Over time, this can present a sizable savings. Weigh the higher initial cost against long-term savings to determine if this is the right solution for you.

• Generates heat from a gas burner
• Requires a professionally installed gas hookup
• Highly efficient operation provides long-term cost savings

Electric Dryers: Electric dryers require a dedicated outlet with a 240 V current for operation. You’ll need to determine if your current laundry space already has an existing power source before purchasing an electric dryer. If there isn’t one available, consult an electrician to install a new outlet. Electric units are generally less expensive than comparable gas units and deliver the same options and quality of drying. Depending on the rates you pay for electricity, these dryers may be somewhat less efficient than gas dryers.

• Generates heat using electrical coils
• Requires a dedicated 240 V outlet
• Lower initial purchase price

Compact and Combination Washer/Dryers: When you’ve got little space available and need to make the most of it, a compact dryer or combination washer/dryer might be the answer. Compact models are a few inches narrower than full-sized units, enabling you to fit them into tighter spaces. All compacts are electric, and, because they have less capacity, they use less energy while still retaining the same array of features offered by larger models. Combination washer/dryers tend to be more expensive than standard dryers, but allow for both washing and drying in one machine and usually do not need to be vented, making them easier to install.

• Compact models operate on electricity and fit into tight spaces
• Combination washer/dryers don’t require venting and save a great deal of space

Operating Tips: Implement these helpful hints for more efficient operation of your dryer:

• Choose a dryer with twice the capacity of your washer to maximize effectiveness
• Avoid placing the unit in cold, damp areas, which reduce efficiency
• Drying full loads and multiple loads back-to-back increases energy efficiency
• Clean the lint filter after every load to ensure proper air circulation
• Noise reducing features are helpful when placing the unit in or near living areas
• Take weight into consideration when locating a dryer on an upper floor

Features

Moisture Sensor: Many dryers now incorporate sensors that measure moisture levels in clothes and automatically shut the unit down when load is dry, saving energy and preventing unnecessary wear and tear on clothing.

Extended Tumble: With an extended tumble feature, clothes continue to circulate on a no-heat setting once the cycle is finished, ensuring that clothes won’t wrinkle if you can’t take them out right away.

Speed-Dry, Less-Dry and Auto-Dry Settings: Speed-dry provides extra-high heat to finish loads quickly. A less-dry setting leaves clothes damp so they’re easier to iron. Auto-dry heats clothes until they are dry and then automatically shuts off to prevent wearing clothes out by overheating.

Electronic Touchpad Controls: Electronic touch-sensitive controls with digital displays make it easy to select different settings and set precise heat levels.

Lint Filter Warning Light: This feature lets you know when to clean the lint filter, something that must be done to maintain efficient operation and minimize the chances of creating a fire hazard.

Drum Light: Socks inevitably get lost in the wash, but having a drum light will reduce the chance of missing a stray sock at the back of the dryer. It will also help spot items that may have fallen out of a pocket during drying.

Quiet Operation: If you plan to store your dryer near a bedroom, family room or any other room in which people spend a considerable amount of time, look for a model that features insulation and sound-dampening pads and barriers to keep noise to a minimum.

Dryer Rack Accessory: When you’re drying a pair of shoes or your little one’s favorite stuffed animal, you don’t want them tumbling around. Units that include a dryer rack keep delicate items firmly in place to ensure they dry thoroughly without getting damaged.

Courtesy of homedepot.com