The Best Time To Run Your Dryer, According To Experts

Save energy (and money).

Timing matters when it comes to running household appliances, and your dryer is no exception. Whether you are trying to streamline your day or save money on power costs, knowing the right time to run your dryer is an important step.

. Richardson says that operating a dryer during off peak times is the best way to save energy and money.

. “It’s usually considered peak [time] and off peak [time], so for that purpose, off peak is obviously better and off peak varies based on where you live. Usually it’s nine o’clock in the evening or after.”

Richardson adds that peak time in many places across the country ranges from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.

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When Is The Cheapest Time To Run Your Dryer?

Operating a dryer during off-peak hours is crucial to saving money, says Richardson.

“You can go on your electric company’s website, and they’ll tell you what off-peak hours are and you can just run your dryer off peak,” he says.

states on their website that energy rates vary by both season and time. In the summer months, peak hours are 1 p.m. until 7 p.m.

“This means you will want to decrease energy usage during the weekday peak hours in the afternoons from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.” the website states.

In the winter months, peak hours are 5 a.m. until 9 a.m.

“This means you will want to decrease energy usage during the weekday peak hours in the mornings between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.” Alabama Power states.

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Is It Better To Put One Big Load In The Dryer Or Multiple Small Loads?

Richardson says one large load is best.

“It’s not only cheaper, but better for the clothes,” Richardson says, adding that more clothes in the dryer adds cushioning. “When there are a lot (of clothes) in there, they still dry, but they’re beat up less.”

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What Is The Best Time To Do Laundry?

While off-peak times are the best from an economical perspective, Richardson says it’s important to make those times work for the tempo of your day, especially in the winter.

“If you’re going to hang something to dry, it takes longer to dry in the winter,” he says. “So really, you’re better served either doing (laundry) in the evening and letting the clothes hang to dry overnight and then put them away the next day, or do (laundry) in the morning and let them dry throughout the day and put them away in the evening.”

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