Clothing dryers

Benefits

Instant heat, instant savings

Compared to standard electric models, a natural gas dryer heats up instantly and dries clothes faster. Plus, you could see up to 45 per cent savings in dryer energy costs per year.^*

Gentle on clothes

Natural gas dryers produce a gentle heat. Some models are equipped with moisture sensors that help prevent over-drying your clothes, reducing static cling and wrinkles.

^*Based on comparison of natural gas and electric dryers, four laundry loads per week, in the Lower Mainland, using natural gas rates as of October 2013. For more details visit fortisbc.com/energycalculator

How a natural gas dryer works

Natural gas and electric dryers have similar operating mechanisms, except for the heating unit. When a natural gas dryer is turned on, electronic ignition lights a burner and the air is heated by a flame instead of an element. The warmed air circulates around the tumbling load of clothes, picks up moisture and passes through a lint trap before it's sent outside through an exhaust duct.

Buying a clothes dryer

The most important thing is to ensure you’re buying the right sized dryer for your home. Too big, too small: they’re both going to be inefficient and more expensive to run. A larger drum allows for larger loads, but a smaller appliance can give more efficient heat and tumbling action. Also, choosing the wrong sized dryer can cause excessive wrinkling, poor operation of moisture sensors and wasted energy.

Think about the features you want:

• Is quiet operation important to you?
• Will children or elderly adults use the machine? If so, consider easy-to-use dials.
• Do you want a light inside the dryer?
• Which finish do you prefer on the inside of the drum Is it durable?
• Do you need an air fluff cycle of an hour or more to help eliminate wrinkles?
• Do you need a door that can be changed to swing from left to right (keeping in mind potential future renovations)?
• Do you need a drying rack that fits inside the dryer for delicates, shoes, etc.?
• Do you want an end-of-cycle signal alerting you to remove the load so your clothes won’t wrinkle?
• Do you want the dryer to have a moisture sensor that turns it off when the clothes are dry to prevent over-drying, reduce static cling and save energy?

More tips:

• For safety, some models have thermostats which monitor internal air temperature and automatically shut off the gas when the temperature exceeds a pre-determined limit.
• Choose the most energy-efficient dryer you can. A dryer that runs longer than necessary uses more energy.
• Carefully compare warranties and service packages available.

Have your dryer installed by a licensed gas contractor. A natural gas dryer operates directly from your home's natural gas supply. Consult a gas contractor about extending piping to your laundry area.

More information on selecting a gas contractor.

Clothes dryer operating tips

Don’t over-dry

Over-drying wastes natural gas and gives your clothes a rough feel. Use the shortest cycle possible to minimize over-drying.

Cool down

If your dryer has a cycle with “cool-down” setting, be sure to use it.

Clean the lint trap after every load

A clean lint trap vents air and moisture more efficiently, drying your clothes faster and keeping your energy costs down.

Vent check

Check the vent on the dryer and the exterior vent occasionally to make sure they stay free of lint, and can open and close freely. The dryer should be vented outdoors to remove damp air and lint.