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HOMES PLUS JANUARY 2017 6 Is your clothes dryer energy efficient? (StatePoint) — If you are looking to be more energy-efficient at home, you are in good company. Consumers nationwide are looking for new ways to reduce their energy use in their single-family homes, condomini- ums and apartments because using less energy helps save money and builds a more sustainable planet. Fortunately, great strides have been made in efficiency for major appliances that would have been unimaginable decades ago. One noticeable exception, until recently, has been clothes dryers. In 2012, the average electric clothes dryer used almost as much energy annually as the average refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer combined, according to a report from the Natural Resources Defense Council. Here are a couple of things to consider that can help you select a sustainable dryer that also fits the design of your home. Review ratings The most respected guide for sustainabili- ty in appliances is the Association for Home Appliance Manufacturers Sustainability Standards. Before making its ratings, AHAM considers a broad range of product attributes, including energy and water effi- ciency, manufacturing and materials. To check its free rating and review other resources, visit aham.org. Consider ventless dryers This relatively new type of dryer is chang- ing the energy-efficiency equation. Ventless dryers recycle air within the unit, and offer an ideal way to help reduce energy con- sumption. They are also gentle on clothes, because they don't heat the air as much as a traditional dryer. There are two types: condenser and heat pump. The most efficient are the heat pump dryers, which use a refrigeration system to dry and recycle air before returning it to the drum. Consumers can choose from two Whirlpool brand dryer sizes that range from a compact model to a 7.4-cubic-foot Hybrid- Care True Ventless Heat Pump Dryer. Ventless dryers have another major bene- fit. They can fit into spaces beyond the laun- dry room — such as closets in condomini- ums and apartments — because there's no need for a vent, just an electrical outlet. With many home designs moving from traditional layouts with a laundry room to open designs, this allows a washer and dryer to be placed virtually anywhere in the home. StatePoint Clothes dryers have made major improvements in energy efficiency in the last few years. Know what to look for in replacing a dryer.

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