And the Season of the Clothes Dryer Begins…

Does it ever feel like you’re overwhelmed by laundry? For some reason this feels exceptionally true right around this time of year Whether you have little ones with snow days spending hours playing outside in the frigid cold only to come in soaking wet, in need of a new change of clothes, or you have young adult kids coming home on holiday break with their unsurprisingly over-due bag(s) of dirty laundry, December can really put your washer and dryer to the test. If you’re in the market for a new clothes dryer, the Sponsors of Mass Save® – Cape Light Compact, Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil – want you to know that an ENERGY STAR^® certified dryer is your best bet this holiday season.

Improved Efficiency Without Sacrificing Performance

Did you know that conventional clothes dryers can consume twice the energy of a refrigerator? It’s pretty mind boggling considering your clothes dryer isn’t running nearly as long as your refrigerator each day. So, how can you cut back on your energy usage when doing laundry? You can start by simply switching to a unit that is ENERGY STAR certified.  ENERGY STAR certified electric clothes dryers are 20 percent more efficient than non-certified models and you won’t have to worry about sacrificing functionality or features. When using innovative and efficient heating technology, which uses less energy to dry your clothes, combined with smart controls that can sense when your current load is dry, you can save energy on every cycle and rest assured that your clothes are being treated gently.

Go the Extra Mile

If you’re looking to invest in a clothes dryer that is even more efficient than standard ENERGY STAR certified models, you should consider a heat pump clothes dryer. These models use up to 60 percent less energy than conventional models. ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryers work on a loop, drawing moisture from clothes and passing the warm air through a condenser, which cools the air enough to release moisture and then reheats the already warmer-than-room-temperature air to continue the drying cycle. Working on this loop means the system is ventless, offering the additional benefit of greater flexibility in placement in your home. And the savings in energy will help pay for the new, certified heat pump dryer rather quickly, too.

Looking for More Ways to Save?

When you’re updating your clothes dryer – regardless of if it’s an electric heat pump dryer or a more traditional model – as long as it’s ENERGY STAR certified, you can apply for a $50 rebate through Mass Save. This awesome added benefit can help you commit to transition to a more energy-efficient model. Lastly, to save even more energy, consider taking one or two additional steps  in your laundry sorting routine too, such as drying only full loads, and separating loads by their weight so that you bundle your towels with other towels, jeans with other jeans, and delicates with other delicates. Following these guidelines will also enable your dryer to perform more efficiently.

Find the ENERGY STAR model that’s right for your home and experience savings that will hopefully improve the seemingly never-ending chore of laundry. If you purchased a new unit this year, be sure to submit for your $50 rebate by January 31, 2019.