Your dryer speed and efficiency depend on several factors, including proper ventilation, filter maintenance, temperature settings and load size. Here are some tips to increase drying speed and lower your energy bill:

•Clean dryer vent and filters. Built-up lint reduces airflow and makes dryers work harder. Have your dryer vent professionally cleaned once a year and check/replace filters regularly according to recommendations. Clogged vents and filters lower speed and efficiency.

• select appropriate heat setting. Lower heat settings use less energy but increase cycle time. Medium or high heat is typically needed for speed, using slightly more energy per cycle but conditioning clothes faster. Too-high heat can damage clothes and reduce lifespan.

•Add moisture sensors. If your dryer has automatic moisture sensing, it will shut off when clothes reach proper dryness. This saves energy used by an unnecessarily long cycle. Moisture sensing dryers tend to be more efficient, especially when loads are improperly sized.

•Reduce load size. Large loads take longer to dry and use more energy than smaller loads. An overloaded dryer works inefficiently, reducing speed and increasing your electric bill. For faster, more efficient drying, reduce load size when possible.

•Scrape off excess lint before loading. Lint left on clothes adds more bulk to the load and requires more energy to heat and circulate, extending cycle time. Use an old gift card or lint brush to scrape clothes before drying for maximum efficiency.

•Tumble clothes gently. Avoid over-tumbling clothes which can damage fabrics and reduce heat transfer, requiring a longer cycle to dry properly. Gently shaking out wrinkles before drying is typically sufficient. Over-tumbling also uses excess energy and lowers efficiency.

•Keep dryer door closed. An open dryer door allows conditioned, humid air to escape, requiring the dryer to work harder to maintain temperature and circulate air. This wastes heat, increases cycle time and lowers efficiency. Keeping the door closed when not loading or unloading helps make the most of the heat in the dryer.

•Consider a condenser dryer speed . Condenser dryers collect moisture from exhaust air and recycles heat, increasing speed and efficiency by up to 50% compared to a standard vented dryer. The upfront costs of a condenser dryer can be recovered over time through energy savings. Condenser dryers are a substantial investment but a great option for efficiency and sustainability.

In summary, proper maintenance, optimized settings, load management and conservation practices can significantly improve your dryer’s speed and efficiency while lowering energy usage and costs. Making a few simple changes to your drying routine can have a big impact.