Purchasing a Dryer

Contributed by Greg Bailey

Should I get a gas dryer or an electric dryer?
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You can only purchase a gas dryer if you have gas in your home.
Will it fit in my door?
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Most doors are 30, 32, or 36 inches. When measuring take into account the width of screen doors, trim and hardware. Measure each opening through which the appliance will pass.
How much should I expect to spend?
What brand do you recommend?
What service will the machine require?
How do I clean out the lint trap?
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Failure to regularly clean the lint trap not only reduces energy efficiency, it also poses a fire hazard.
What features does the dryer have?
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Today's dryers come with a wide variety of features any number of which may be helpful to you. However, they are only an asset if you'll actually use them. Don't get talked into buying a machine with lots of complicated features you'll never use. However be sure that you purchase a dryer with a sensor that will alert you when the clothes are dry. This allows you to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
What is the dryer's Energy Star Rating?
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ENERGY STAR does not label clothes dryers because most of them use similar amounts of energy, which means there is little difference in energy use between models.