My Two Cents on Choosing a Clothes Dryer
Nov 06 '09 (Updated Nov 08 '09)
The Bottom Line Many of today's current dryer offerings will get the job done. It's just a matter of getting one that does it as efficiently as it can.
Of course, allowing one's clothing to dry naturally on a clothes line is the most environmentally friendly way to go. It involves the use of no electricity; therefore, there are no negative impacts on the environment. Unfortunately, many of us, due to busy schedules or restrictions imposed by our living situations, are unable to hang clothing outside. Also, if you have allergies, hanging one’s clothing in air that is laden with pollen, mold spores and other contaminants may not be such a good idea. For us, the only viable option is the automatic clothes dryer.
The two basic choices over time have been electric and natural gas. Historically, the low price of natural gas has made those models attractive economically due to low cost of using gas versus electricity, despite an initial premium of $50 or more compared to similar electric models. Consider, too, that electric is not explosive like gas, if there happens to be a gas leak. However, that is not to say that electric models can’t pose their own dangers.
Unfortunately, from my research, the great strides made in energy efficiency in clothes washers and refrigerators have not made their way into the dryer segment of appliances. There are some basic, energy-saving features that have been around for years that are still available. However, it seems as though manufacturers have concentrated on providing glitz and glamour over finding a meaningful way to make the appliances more energy efficient for consumers. I have yet to see an Energy Star rated dryer, but you will find many such designations on washers and refrigerators.
If you are contemplating replacing your current dryer due to performance issues, it may be a good idea to do some basic diagnostic tests before running out to the store and purchasing a new one or calling the appliance repairman. Last year, I visited my parents, and my mother stated, “I guess the dryer needs to be fixed, as it takes two hours to dry a load.” I queried her as to whether she checked to see if there was an obvious problem. I got a “deer in the headlights” look, so I proceeded to take matters into my own hands.
I opened the dryer, held the safety latch and turned on a heated drying cycle. I was able to see that the coils in the back were heating. After turning on the dryer with the door shut, I proceeded to the outside vent. My thought was to check how much air was coming out. With an empty dryer, there should be a forceful, steady blast of air. Restricted flow can mean that lint has built up in the ductwork, a very dangerous situation that can (AND DOES) lead to a house fire. In that case, I would have helped them tear apart the duct and clean it, which, by the way, is a good thing to do on an annual basis. Don't forget to clean the passageway behind the lint filter and to open the access panel and suck out all the lint that has accumulated inside the dryer, too. Put it on your “To Do” list for, say, spring cleaning.
However, I saw the problem immediately upon inspecting the outside vent cover. It was all crushed in to the point that the flap that covers the opening could barely open. Apparently, my dad was mowing the lawn on his tractor and backed into it. Luckily, it was an easy fix to bend out the cover; drying performance was immediately restored. I whipped out a piece of paper and wrote out a bill for $100.00! Just kidding.
So, you may be able to complete a simple, no-cost repair yourself. If, on the other hand, you are contemplating replacing a decent-performing dryer because you are going to purchase a new washer, consider the following:
- Your current dryer will most likely perform much better with one of today’s high-efficiency washers, which spin out more water than older machines.
- If your dryer has a moisture sensor, you probably won’t gain any more in efficiency with a new model over your current model. Notice that I said “moisture sensor” and not “thermostat”. The moisture sensor will be metallic pads located in the drum that contact the clothing and “feel” its moisture content. These have been around for many years, and are much more efficient than the thermostat, which measures dryness by the temperature of the exhaust.
If you do decide that a new dryer is best for you, get ready to do a little research to find one that fits your situation. As I stated in my comments for purchasing a washer, it would not be appropriate to mention specific models, since they continually change. Luckily, however, basic models that perform well seem to remain static over the years. The Whirlpool-made machines today with the filter on top of the cabinet appear to be very similar to my mom’s 20 year old Whirlpool that is still in operation, as of this writing.
Again, I will say that it is most helpful to start one’s shopping list with an independent, objective resource that publishes laboratory results of different models’ performance and reliability. Use online, consumer reviews of the models to your advantage; these can be found on Epinions, as well as many department store websites. Sometimes issues, which are not readily apparent in a laboratory situation, crop up in home use. If you have time and are interested in finding a “good deal”, I would recommend going to different department store websites and search for your models. Tracking the prices over time will allow you to spot a good deal when it becomes available. I find it most helpful to sort the models by price (low to high), as this allows for quick determination of prices and to spot specials. Many store websites also allow you to set up an e-mail alert that will tell you when a particular model goes on sale.
Major points of my advice are as follows:
1. Use the published, objective results (from Consumer Reports, for example) to start your shopping list.
a. Make sure the dryer is big enough. I would err on the side of a larger machine, to match many of today’s very large washers. It will be much more pleasant than having to split a washed load into several smaller loads because the dryer can’t handle one load from the washer. Also, clothing is less likely to get wrinkled, if it has more space to tumble.
b. Make sure to put models from reliable manufacturers at the top of your list. Note that dryers with newer ‘gadgets’ may not be represented in the repair history statistics.
c. Check online consumer reviews. Note that reliability in Consumer Reports is often given by manufacturer rather than by model. So, the best you can do is to pair the reliability information with online review feedback from consumers who have the particular model you are considering.
d. If you are more concerned about performance over gadgets, limit your selection to models that have remained relatively unchanged over the years. These will most likely offer the best combination of performance and reliability.
2. Do some homework regarding the power source. Some homes do not have natural gas available and are, therefore, limited to electric models. If you want to choose gas, it might be a good idea to estimate its cost by comparing the costs on the energy guide to the actual price of gas in your area. Some calculations of expected use along with local price should help you compare a gas model to electric, for your particular rates.
3. Insist on a moisture sensor, as described above. These cut down on energy consumption by ending the drying portion when the clothing is at the specified dryness level. This also prevents damage to clothing from over drying.
4. You can get similar performance and save hundreds by going with a more basic machine. For example, I recently looked online and found a 7.5 cubic foot Kenmore model that had many desirable features on sale for about $480, less 5%, if you used your Sears card. You can spend a lot more for machines that have controls on the front and offer more cycle status feedback. However, electronics and other gadgets don’t necessarily improve the dryer’s basic function.
5. Some features I have found helpful:
a. A drying rack for small, delicate items and items that you don’t want to tumble, such as sneakers.
b. An extended tumble period to rotate the drum with room temperature air to avoid wrinkles.
c. Adjustable end-of-cycle signal
d. Fluff (no heat), Delicate, Medium, Medium/High and High temperatures
e. Reversible, side-swing door. Note that hamper doors, which drop down, are handy for folding, but they can make it difficult to reach into the machine.
f. I would recommend a drum size of 7.0 cubic feet or greater.
6. You don’t need to buy the matching dryer for your washer. Many matching dryers, particularly those that match front loaders, have the controls on the front. For some reason, this seems to add a lot of money to the machine, with no payback in performance. You can get more “bang for the buck” by choosing a model with the controls on the back. Of course, you will not be able to stack the dryer on the washer, if this is important to you.
7. Use various department store web sites to do pricing
8. Use one store’s published price as leverage at another store, especially if one is offering additional services. They may match a competitor’s price.
9. Consider sibling models that use a similar drying system. If you become familiar enough with the various models in a given brand during your research, you can often find sibling models that add or subtract features while giving the same performance as a model you are considering.
10. To get steam, or not to get steam; that is the question. I’ve read mixed reviews on this feature. Some claim it’s great for freshening clothing, for example, that has been in a suitcase or which has smoke/food odors. In the end, you are going to pay a lot of money for this feature. It also adds one more complexity to the dryer, thereby increasing likelihood of repair. I can imagine that hard water would also wreak havoc on the components over time, as evidenced by my dishwasher and washer.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
weggbw
|
|
Member: Dan
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Reviews written: 27
Trusted by: 1 member
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.