Most Americans rely on clothes dryers, but researchers from the University of Michigan say switching to air drying could save money and cut pollution.
Their study shows that dryers use a lot of energy, and a simple change in how we dry clothes could have a big impact.
The cost of drying clothes
In the U.S., dryers use about 3% of all household energy—six times more than washing machines! Powering these machines costs Americans over $7 billion a year and releases more than 27 million tons of carbon dioxide.
The U.S. leads the world in dryer use, with over 80% of homes owning one, while other countries, like South Korea (30%) and Germany (40%), use them far less.
So, what would happen if more Americans switched to air drying? That’s what Zhu Zhu, a researcher at the University of Michigan, wanted to find out.
Big savings with air drying
The study found that if a household stopped using a dryer completely, they could save around $2,100 over the dryer’s lifetime and reduce carbon emissions by over 3 tons. Even using a mix of air drying and a dryer could save more money and energy than buying a new, energy-efficient dryer.
“We often focus on upgrading technology, but simple changes in behavior can make a bigger difference,” said Shelie Miller, a professor at U-M.
Drying clothes without a dryer
Many people think they need a large backyard for air drying, but Zhu says that’s not true. Even in a small apartment, clothes can be dried indoors as long as there’s enough airflow.
Some worry that air-dried clothes feel stiff. A quick spin in the dryer for a few minutes can help soften them without using much energy.
Where you live matters
The study also found that dryer emissions depend on where you live. In areas where electricity comes from coal, electric dryers pollute more. In places using clean energy, like hydroelectric power, dryers have a smaller impact.
For those who still prefer to use dryers, small changes can help. Running them at night, during off-peak hours, can reduce emissions by 8%.
The bottom line
The best way to save money and energy is to use the dryer less or not at all. “Ask yourself if using a dryer is really necessary,” said Miller. “Sometimes, the best way to help the planet is to do nothing at all.”
With simple changes, you can cut costs and reduce your carbon footprint—one load of laundry at a time.
Source: University of Michigan.
