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Author Topic: Can running a clothes dryer save $?  (Read 915 times)

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Offline St Giles

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Can running a clothes dryer save $?
« on: September 25, 2025, 09:14:04 PM »
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  • Ideally in the summer clothes should be air dried outside, but if you use a dryer, the best time to use it in the summer would be just before the sun comes up, so that when the dryer pumps hot air outside, the cold air that gets drawn into the house with be the coolest air of the day.

    Since dryers produce heat, in the winter why not run the dryer's vent duct through a HEPA filter of sufficient size, then into the crawl space, where the warm air will rise and heat the floor of the house? Or at least duct the heat back into the main part of the house, so cold outside air doesn't get drawn into the house.
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    Offline Emile

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    Re: Can running a clothes dryer save $?
    « Reply #1 on: September 25, 2025, 10:10:09 PM »
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  • Ideally in the summer clothes should be air dried outside, but if you use a dryer, the best time to use it in the summer would be just before the sun comes up, so that when the dryer pumps hot air outside, the cold air that gets drawn into the house with be the coolest air of the day.

    Since dryers produce heat, in the winter why not run the dryer's vent duct through a HEPA filter of sufficient size, then into the crawl space, where the warm air will rise and heat the floor of the house? Or at least duct the heat back into the main part of the house, so cold outside air doesn't get drawn into the house.
    The summer idea seems plausible or at least harmless. I'd be concerned with the winter idea though. You'd be putting a lot of moisture into that crawl space; mold and rot being the likely result.
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    Offline Twice dyed

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    Re: Can running a clothes dryer save $?
    « Reply #2 on: September 25, 2025, 11:03:44 PM »
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  • In my original city, there is asbestos in the water ,,from the eroding concrete 9' channel.

    If you have dyer exhaust to the indoors, bad for lungs.

    Lint will also cause issues; moisture = black mold= un healthy.

    But there is a trick: if you can, install a 4 foot p-trap, 4" insulated air duct...to allow fresh air, but the great part is that cold air only comes in when there is a negative house pressure, ie.when the dryer is  running/ gas furnace etc, .When your dryer is running, it will draw air from this p -trap, presumably in the basement.

    So in winter time, your house stays warmer... no drafts.

    Sunshine is the best= sanitizes clothes. FREE.

     ***
    https://www.houserepairtalk.com/threads/fresh-air-intake-draft.13227/

    ...The only cold source i found is the fresh air intake. It is currently a 4" insulated pipe that goes down to the floor then back up 3' like a p trap. .
    .
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    Offline FarmerWife

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    Re: Can running a clothes dryer save $?
    « Reply #3 on: Yesterday at 09:16:32 AM »
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  • If you want to save money on heating, a well insulated house is good to have. Our neighbour spent a lot of wood to heat their house during the winter which was crazy. 

    What you’re describing doesn’t seem good for you. We have a good HVAC system that will circulate the air, reducing mold and humidity issues.

    Offline Marcellinus

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    Re: Can running a clothes dryer save $?
    « Reply #4 on: Yesterday at 02:45:05 PM »
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  • Ideally in the summer clothes should be air dried outside, but if you use a dryer, the best time to use it in the summer would be just before the sun comes up, so that when the dryer pumps hot air outside, the cold air that gets drawn into the house with be the coolest air of the day.

    Since dryers produce heat, in the winter why not run the dryer's vent duct through a HEPA filter of sufficient size, then into the crawl space, where the warm air will rise and heat the floor of the house? Or at least duct the heat back into the main part of the house, so cold outside air doesn't get drawn into the house.
    If your dryer runs on gas, you'd be turning your house into a makeshift gas chamber by doing this.


    Offline songbird

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    Re: Can running a clothes dryer save $?
    « Reply #5 on: Yesterday at 04:09:32 PM »
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  • When we were in Germany, 1980, military off base, we had a clothes dryer.  We put a nylon hose(ladies nylon) over the hose vent and kept the heat in the home.  Is this what you mean to do?  we did

    Offline St Giles

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    Re: Can running a clothes dryer save $?
    « Reply #6 on: Yesterday at 07:53:30 PM »
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  • Yes.

    I'm not sure if gas heated dryers have a separate exhaust for the gas.

    Humidity in the crawl space is a good concern, but in the house during winter when the air is dry shouldn't cause harm for the relatively short amount of time used.
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    Offline Geremia

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    Re: Can running a clothes dryer save $?
    « Reply #7 on: Yesterday at 10:24:41 PM »
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  • In hot climates where the A/C runs a lot during the summer, it's cheaper to run the dryer than open the door and let hot air in the house.
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