Some Simple Tips for: Learning How Dryers Operate Efficiently

We all should know that about half of a typical coin laundry''s natural gas use is for dryers. Anything that conserves dryer energy could be a real money saver. We know dryers dry clothes, but most of us don''t know how a dryer functions. It''s basically an air pump. Dryers pump air through the clothes basket and moisture in the clothing is carried out through the exhaust vent pipes. The gas flame heats up the air that is being pumped through the clothes, as warm air more efficiently removes moisture than does cooler air. We heat up the air only to speed up the drying process. The tumbling action of a dryer would dry the clothes without heat, but it would take much, much longer. The air that is sent up the stacks is replaced by make up air from the laundry''s interior. Lint comes as a by-product of the laundering process. As fabric flexes and rubs against itself and other items either in the wash or dry, minuscule bits of cloth are abraded or worn off of the fabric. We notice it as lint. In the laundering process, most lint goes down the drain. Lint that remains will add to that created by the abrasion of clothes in the machines and then become visible to us in and around the dryers. Lint can settle on top of dryers, ceiling tiles and pipes. It can accumulate inside the dryer structure itself. There it sits and dries and eventually could become a fire hazard. It also can clog up dryer vents and slow down air flow, making dry times longer and more costly. So it''s a financial hazard too. For safety and economy, proper dryer care is important to laundry owners. Safety considerations should have owners cleaning dryers, dryer lint boxes and the rest of the laundry, removing lint build up that could be a fire hazard. It also adds to the laundry''s appearance to be free of exposed lint. Economic considerations should see each laundry operator take the following additional steps: Eyeball several dryer burner boxes to see how the flame looks with the laundry''s doors open and closed. If the flame gets lazy with the doors closed then brightens up with the access doors open, you probably have a make up air problem. Dryers require 10 square inches or so each of make up air to burn most efficiently. The simplest way to do this is with a section cut through the outside wall behind the dryers, if that option is available. Otherwise it will be necessary to bring in a make up air vent from the roof to within 18 inches of the floor to allow sufficient air to the burners. Why go to all that trouble? You get more heat per therm and use fewer therms to do the same drying job. Translation, clean vents can significantly cut your gas bill. If you still have a lazy yellow burner flame after creating the make up air opening, ask the local gas utility to send a technician to adjust your burners. This is usually a free service, so if you still have concerns give them a call. After all this is done you should see the burner flame rise directly with a bright blue color and a small yellow tip on the top of each flame. Once or twice every year the exhaust vent lines should be cleaned to improve the flow of air through the dryer to the outside. Even with the threatened electrical and gas rate increases, it is still a lot cheaper to dry with air and efficient gas use. Lint accumulates in the vents and begins to restrict air flow. Knock down the lint, free the flow and save money on your gas bill. You can''t afford to ignore your dryers.