Ann Arbor Times

Researchers at the University of Michigan have released a study that could change how Americans approach drying their clothes. The study, titled "The Relative Benefits of Electrification, Energy Efficiency, and Line Drying Clothes in the United States," highlights the significant energy consumption associated with household dryers. According to the research, dryers account for about 3% of residential energy use in the U.S., costing over $7 billion annually and emitting more than 27 million tons of carbon dioxide.

Zhu Zhu, lead author of the study and now a doctoral student at Purdue University, noted that "in most other places in the world, it’s hard to find a clothes dryer." Zhu explored potential savings and emission reductions from switching to line drying under Shelie Miller's guidance, a professor at SEAS.

The findings suggest that completely switching to line drying could save households up to $2,100 over a dryer's lifetime while reducing CO2 emissions by more than three tons per household. Miller emphasized that "behavioral changes can have larger impacts" compared to technological improvements alone.

A combination of line drying and dryer use emerged as an economical and eco-friendly alternative. The study also revealed regional variations in emissions due to differences in energy sources across the U.S., with coal-dependent areas producing higher emissions from dryers.

Miller pointed out that moving toward cleaner energy grids is one solution but suggested immediate action through behavioral changes like using dryers during off-peak hours. For those hesitant about line drying due to environmental constraints or fabric stiffness concerns, Zhu reassured that minimal space is needed for effective air drying.

Zhu shared his personal experience: “You don’t need a big balcony or a huge backyard.” He managed with limited space during college, indicating greater capacity for air drying than many might assume.