A typical dryer

Dryer Tutorial

A typical dryer

Types of Dryers

Amana Dryer

Electric

Electric dryers are more affordable than gas dryers, but gas dryers are less expensive to operate in the long run. Because electric dryers require more energy, they can sometimes cause more wear on clothes. Electric dryers can also undergo faster wear and tear when compared to gas dryers. An individual who doesn't have the proper infrastructure to operate a gas dryer has to have it installed, which can be expensive. This extra expense can cancel out the less expensive operating costs of gas dryers. Liquid propane gas stored in a large tank can be used as an alternative to having a gas line installed. Properly maintaining and repairing a gas dryer also calls for a specialized technician.

Gas

To use natural gas requires access to the distribution piping system. This is commonly found in cities and in larger towns where population densities justify the expense of installation and maintenance. Rural installations require the use of portable pressure vessels to store gas and provide a means of drawing off vapor to use as heating fuel-gas. Butane and liquified-petroleum (LP) are the two main forms of this portable gas. Any utilization of gas requires piping be installed to connect the supply with the appliance. This typically can run several hundred dollars or more and sometimes the economic benefit is minimal compared to the use of electricity which only requires a wired 240-volt outlet.

Condensing Dryers

Condensation dryers: These dryers can be gas or electric but they require no external vent. Instead, they operate like a heat-pump to circulate the moisture-laden air through cooled passages that condenses the water which is then collected below the unit. They can either circulate an aluminum heat-exchanger which allows cooler room air to flow through one set of passages while moisture-laden air is circulated through another. The two networks are thermally interconnected which causes moisture to condense. This water can then be channeled or pumped into the same drain system as the washer or accumulated in a reservoir, which must be emptied at the end of each load. Other condensation schemes use a refrigeration process which can be as simple as a small trickling flow of cold water passing over outside of the air-passages which again, causes moisture to condense so it can be drawn of and disposed of.

Low Energy Options

Air and Solar: These are traditonal "low-energy" drying methods and require no installation or maintenance other than setting-up the rack or securing a clothesline. The drawback it that they can take considerable time and require space to set up. Clothing also will be much stiffer than if it had been tumble-dried. However, the fabric will last longer since it does not suffer wear-action during tumble-dry cycles.

Spinner

"Rapid spin dryer that gently dries clothes in under 3 minutes, and consumes a low level of energy along the way. NO VENT OR SPECIAL OUTLET REQUIRED -Have a standard outlet? Your ventless portable electric dryer dries your clothes for 200x cheaper than a traditional dryer. You'll wonder how you ever got along without it!-Your new 110V apartment spin dryer handles 12 lbs of clothes! At just 14x14x24 inches and weighing only 15 lbs (plus with the easy-carry handle), you can use it nearly anywhere. • SUPER QUIET, EXTREMELY GENTLE ON YOUR CLOTHES, GETS CLOTHES VERY CLOSE TO DRY in only 5 minutes (not 100%, they come out slightly damp)."The Laundry Alternative