Inglis IED4400VQ - dryer - freestanding

Dryers used to be tumbling hot boxes that liberated housewives from having to line-dry clothes and iron everything. Now dryers have grown up to be more energy-efficient and include new sensors and settings that protect clothes from one-size-fits-all high heat. They can even produce wrinkle-free clothes--no iron needed. And most are sold in stylish, modern, or colorful sets with matching washing machines that can be arranged side-by-side or stacked. The basic types of clothes dryers you'll find when you start your appliance hunt are gas-powered and electric-powered.

Read more in the Dryer Buying Guide

See more Dryers products

Much of going "green" with your clothes dryer choice has just as much to do with how you use your dryer as what kind of model you buy. For example, using your dryer's settings properly to make sure you don't overdry items, hanging delicates out to dry, and cleaning the lint filter after every use. Along with those tips, here's how to shop for a more energy-efficient model:

Consider gas models and models with sensors: Gas dryers are known for being more energy efficient and sensors are helpful with shutting off when the clothes are actually dry (not fried).

Get a higher spin washer: Dryers actually aren't regulated by the government and don't have to come with EnergyStar or EnergyGuide labels. But one tactic is to buy a washer that comes with a higher-speed spin cycle that will wring more water out of clothes and require less drying time.

Auto-dry: Use your model's auto-dry setting for the type of clothes you're drying vs. timed dry. Also keep the laundry loads flowing and dry loads one after another if you can to take advantage of the warmed-up drum.

Resource-saving cycles: Look for models that include features such as dual temperature heating elements to maintain and lower heat as needed.

By far the most common type of clothes dryer is electric. The electric dryer's sticker price is usually less expensive than those of gas dryers, but in exchange they typically cost more to operate day-to-day (depending on electricity rates).

• Price: $250-$2,900
• Power requirement: 240-volt outlet
• Who it's best for: The budget shopper who wants to plug the clothes dryer into an existing laundry area in their home or rental.

Read more in the Dryer Buying Guide

See more Electric dryers products

Clothes dryer manufacturers now offer a wide range of settings to control how dry or wrinkle-free your clothes will get. Manufacturers will have different names for the majority of dryer settings out there, but the functions break down into common categories including:

Basic temperature and time-dry settings: You probably already figured out that jeans or towels take longer to dry than a cotton tank top. Most fabrics last longer and keep their color if they are dried using the correct temperatures. Most dryers offer basics temperature and timed settings such as Whites, Darks, Cotton, Permanent Press, Delicate, Air Fluff, Heavy Duty, More Dry, Normal Dry, Damp Dry or Less Dry options.

Custom settings: Higher-end dryers tend to come with seven or more temperature drying cycles beyond the basic settings. You can usually mimic most of these settings via basic controls. But if you want a wider range of controls at your fingertips, you can investigate custom settings, including:

• bulky items
• quick-dry
• wrinkle-free (cycle is around 140 minutes of intermittent tumbling to help prevent wrinkles)
• towels
• 'personal' cycle that can be customized by temperature and time
• wool care

Read more in the Dryer Buying Guide

See more Adjustable temperature products

Moisture and temperature sensors are a growing feature in newer dryer models. They detect the moisture in the dryer and can tell when clothes are dry and automatically stop the cycle--sensors save energy, utility costs, and laundry duty time.

Read more in the Dryer Buying Guide