Practical examples of energy saving tips for laundry dryers

Real-life examples of energy saving tips for laundry dryers

Let’s start with the good stuff: actual, real-world examples of energy saving tips for laundry dryers that people use every week. Think of these as habits you can layer on, one at a time, until your dryer is working with you instead of against your wallet.

One powerful example of an energy saving tip is simply switching from timed dry to sensor dry. Modern dryers have moisture sensors that shut the machine off when clothes are actually dry. That means no more 60-minute cycles for a load that only needed 35. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using sensor drying can cut dryer energy use by about 20% compared with timed drying in many households.

Another example of a low-effort, high-impact habit is cleaning the lint filter before every load. A clogged lint screen chokes airflow, forcing the dryer to run longer and hotter. It’s a 10-second habit that can trim energy use and also lower fire risk.

And then there’s the underrated strategy of spinning clothes longer in the washer. The faster and longer your washer spins, the more water it pulls out. Less water in the fabric means less time and energy needed in the dryer. Many newer washers have a “high spin” or “extra spin” option—using it is one of the best examples of energy saving tips for laundry dryers, because it shifts work from an energy-hungry appliance (the dryer) to a more efficient one (the washer).

Simple examples of dryer settings that save energy

Settings are where a lot of hidden savings live. A few button presses can change how much your dryer costs you every month.

One strong example of energy saving tips for laundry dryers is lowering the heat setting when you can. Instead of defaulting to “High” or “Heavy Duty,” try “Medium” or even “Low” for mixed loads. Clothes may take a little longer, but they’ll be gentler on fabrics and often dry more evenly, reducing the need for a second cycle. Over a year, that can mean dozens of hours of dryer time avoided.

Another example of a smart setting choice is using Eco or Energy Saver modes if your dryer has them. On many 2023–2025 models, these modes tweak temperature, drum movement, and sensor sensitivity to reduce energy use automatically. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it way to bake savings into every load.

Here are a few more setting-based examples, woven into everyday use:

• Using “Permanent Press” or “Wrinkle Control” for mixed loads. These often use medium heat and a cool-down period, which reduces both energy use and ironing.
• Choosing “Delicate” for small or lightweight loads instead of blasting them on high heat. Less heat, less shrinkage, less energy.
• Turning off “Extra Dry” options unless you truly need bone-dry towels. Slightly damp clothes can finish drying on a rack in minutes.

The pattern here is simple: if a setting sounds like “max power” or “super hot,” it usually means “more energy.” If it sounds like “eco,” “low,” or “wrinkle care,” it often means a smarter use of energy.

Load size and laundry habits: the best examples of everyday savings

Some of the best examples of energy saving tips for laundry dryers have nothing to do with the machine’s tech and everything to do with how you use it.

A classic example: avoiding very small loads. Dryers are designed to work efficiently with a reasonably full drum. Tiny loads waste the warm air and drum movement you’re paying for. On the flip side, overloading the dryer is just as wasteful, because air can’t circulate and you end up running the cycle twice.

Aim for a load that fills the drum about halfway to three-quarters full, where clothes have room to tumble freely. If you’re washing for one or two people, a simple habit is to combine categories—like towels with sturdy cottons—so you can run fewer, well-sized loads.

Another everyday example of energy saving is sorting by fabric weight. Heavy items like towels and jeans dry much more slowly than T-shirts and sheets. If you mix them, the lighter items over-dry while the heavy ones are still damp, and you’re tempted to restart the cycle. By running a “heavy stuff” load and a “light stuff” load, you cut down on re-runs and protect your clothes.

A surprisingly powerful habit is pre-drying thick items with a short spin in the washer. For example, if you wash bath mats or thick hoodies, run an extra spin cycle before moving them to the dryer. This is a real-world example of shifting energy use from your dryer (which uses a heating element or gas burner) to the washer’s motor, which uses far less electricity.

Finally, consider timing your laundry. In many parts of the U.S., utilities now offer time-of-use rates where electricity is cheaper during off-peak hours (often late evening or early morning). Drying laundry during these periods doesn’t reduce total energy, but it can reduce your bill and your home’s impact during peak grid demand. Check your local utility’s website or your bill to see if this applies to you.

For more background on household energy use and peak times, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) offers accessible data and charts: https://www.eia.gov

Maintenance-focused examples of energy saving tips for laundry dryers

If you like the idea of “set it and forget it,” maintenance is your friend. A few periodic checks can keep your dryer running efficiently for years.

One of the most important examples of energy saving tips for laundry dryers is cleaning the exhaust vent and duct. Lint doesn’t just collect on the screen; it slowly builds up in the vent hose and exterior vent flap. This buildup forces the dryer to work harder and longer to push out moist air. It can also create a fire hazard.

Aim to:

• Check and clean the vent duct at least once a year. If you notice clothes taking longer to dry, that’s a red flag. Many homeowners schedule this at the same time they change smoke-detector batteries so it doesn’t get forgotten.
• Make sure the exterior vent flap opens freely. If it’s stuck or clogged with lint, leaves, or even bird nests, airflow suffers.

The U.S. Fire Administration has guidance on dryer lint and fire safety here: https://www.usfa.fema.gov

Another strong example is checking the dryer drum seals and door gasket. If warm air is leaking out around the door, the dryer has to run longer to maintain temperature. A simple visual inspection while the dryer is off—looking for cracks, gaps, or missing pieces of rubber—can catch problems early. Replacing a gasket is usually far cheaper than replacing a dryer.

Don’t forget leveling the dryer. A wobbly dryer can cause uneven tumbling, extra noise, and wear on parts, all of which can affect efficiency over time. Using a simple bubble level and adjusting the feet is a once-and-done task for most households.

Finally, if you have a gas dryer, schedule a professional inspection every few years to check the gas line, burner, and venting. Safe, efficient combustion means better energy performance and better indoor air quality.

Real examples of low-cost tools that help dryers use less energy

You don’t have to buy a new Energy Star dryer tomorrow to see benefits. There are small, inexpensive tools that give you a lot of bang for your buck.

One of the most popular real examples is wool dryer balls. These tennis-ball-sized wool balls bounce around in the drum, separating fabrics, improving airflow, and slightly speeding up drying time. People often report 10–25% shorter cycles depending on load type. They also reduce static, so you can skip single-use dryer sheets.

Another helpful example is using dry towels as “boosters” in heavy loads. Toss a clean, dry towel into a load of damp jeans or bedding for the first 15–20 minutes of the cycle. The towel absorbs some moisture and helps move air through the load, which can shorten drying time. Just remember to pull the towel out partway through so it doesn’t over-dry.

If your laundry area tends to be cold or damp, a small dehumidifier in the room can indirectly help. Drier air allows moisture to leave clothes more easily, so the dryer doesn’t have to work as hard to push moisture out. This can be especially helpful in basements.

And if you’re ready for a bigger step, upgrading to an ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump dryer is one of the best examples of energy saving tips for laundry dryers in 2024–2025. Heat pump dryers use a closed-loop system to recycle warm air, using up to 28% less energy than standard models, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

You can explore current Energy Star dryer models and estimated savings here: https://www.energystar.gov/products/clothes_dryers

Hybrid drying: mixing air-drying with the dryer

You don’t have to go all-or-nothing with air-drying. Hybrid strategies are practical even in small spaces.

One simple example: partially dry in the dryer, finish on a rack. Run clothes on a shorter cycle—just long enough to remove most of the moisture—and then hang them on a folding rack or shower rod to finish. This works especially well for items that wrinkle easily or are prone to shrinkage.

Another example is air-drying the slowpokes: jeans, hoodies, thick towels. Put the fast-drying items in the dryer and hang the heavy ones on a rack or over a banister. You cut down dryer time and reduce the risk of baking thick fabrics.

If you live in a humid climate, placing a small fan near your drying rack can speed things up dramatically. In dry climates or during winter heating season, indoor air-drying can even help add a bit of moisture back into the air, which many people find more comfortable.

Even if you only shift one or two loads a week to partial or full air-drying, that’s dozens of hours of dryer runtime saved over a year.

2024–2025 trends that make dryer energy savings easier

Dryer tech and energy programs have quietly improved in the last few years, making it easier to apply these examples of energy saving tips for laundry dryers.

Here are a few current trends:

• More efficient heat pump dryers. Early models were slow and expensive. Newer 2023–2025 units are faster, quieter, and more affordable, with many now available in standard U.S. sizes.
• Smart features and apps. Many dryers now connect to your phone, allowing you to track energy use, get alerts when a load is done (so you don’t over-dry), and schedule cycles for off-peak hours.
• Utility rebates and incentives. Many U.S. utilities offer rebates for Energy Star dryers or heat pump models, sometimes \(50–\)200 or more. Check your local utility or the Energy Star rebate finder.
• Growing awareness of indoor air quality. People are paying more attention to proper venting and lint control—not just for energy, but for safety and air quality. Good venting habits help in all three areas.

For broader context on home energy trends and efficiency, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy offers helpful guides: https://www.energy.gov/eere

FAQ: Common questions about examples of energy saving tips for laundry dryers

Q: What are some quick examples of energy saving tips for laundry dryers I can try today?
Start by cleaning the lint filter before every load, switching to sensor dry instead of timed cycles, and lowering the heat setting for mixed loads. Combine smaller loads so the drum is at least half full, and use a high-spin or extra-spin option on your washer to pull out more water before drying.

Q: Is there an example of a setting that wastes a lot of energy?
Running every load on “High Heat” with a long timed cycle is a common example of waste. Clothes often dry before the timer ends, so you’re just heating air and over-drying fabrics. Sensor dry or auto-dry, paired with medium heat, usually uses less energy and is kinder to your clothes.

Q: Do wool dryer balls really save energy, or is that just hype?
They aren’t magic, but they do help. By separating fabrics and improving airflow, they can shave minutes off each cycle, especially for heavier loads. Over many loads, those minutes add up. They also let you skip single-use dryer sheets, which is a nice bonus for waste reduction.

Q: What is one example of a maintenance task that makes a big difference?
Cleaning the dryer vent duct and exterior vent is a standout example. A clogged vent can add 15–30 minutes to every load and increase fire risk. A yearly cleaning (or more often if you do a lot of laundry) keeps air moving freely and helps your dryer work efficiently.

Q: Are heat pump dryers worth it for energy savings?
For many households, yes. Heat pump dryers use significantly less energy than standard electric dryers by reusing warm air instead of dumping it outside. They cost more upfront but can pay back the difference through lower energy bills, especially if you do several loads a week and your electricity rates are high.

Q: Can I really save much if I still use the dryer for most loads?
Absolutely. Even if you never fully air-dry, using sensor dry, cleaning the lint filter, sorting loads by weight, and using high spin on the washer can cut your dryer energy use noticeably. Think of it as stacking small wins—each change might save a little, but together they can make a real dent in your bill over a year.

If you start with just two or three of these examples of energy saving tips for laundry dryers—say, cleaning the lint filter every time, using sensor dry, and avoiding tiny loads—you’ll already be ahead of most households. Then you can add more habits over time, and let your dryer quietly cost you less with every spin.