In a dryer with a moisture sensor, what temperature setting uses the least energy?

Question

Assume the moisture sensor will stop the dryer when the clothing is dry. A higher temperature will run the dryer for less time, but potentially using more energy for the heat. A lower setting will run the dryer for a longer time, potentially using more energy for the tumbling motor. What setting would use the least total energy? Low, medium, or high?

If the type of material (i.e., cotton, linen, polyester), starting wetness, or load temperature affect which setting is best, please note that and explain why. Assume that wrinkling or destruction (i.e., melting) of clothing aren't important, just energy cost.

Answer 1

I think the basic consideration on running hotter is that you need the most heat when air doesn't circulate easily through the clothes because they are wet or made of dense or thick materials. In that case evaporation is done more by heat-forcing than ventilation. When they get partly dry, ventilation might become more efficient.
Another factor is weather: hot dry day, go cooler & longer (and don't run the air conditioner where the dryer is!)
I suspect that maintaining high heat takes about as much power as reaching it, since there is so much air throughput.

Answer 2

Too many variables to the situation! For example: At home I have an LG washer/dryer combo...one machine, one door, washes and dries (wonderful, if expensive, machine!). Now the owners manual actually lists some considerations.
First, how fast did the clothes spin; how dry are they to start when the drying cycle begins?
Second, what was the temperature of the water? A hot rinse cycle means the overall temp. of the water in the clothing means it will take less energy overall to get the water to its evaporation point.
Third, what type of clothing is in the washer? Thick items such as towels and sweatshirts will take longer because they hold more water, whereas a thin undershirt (plain white t-shirt for example) won't take nearly as much time.

But if you're going to go strictly as if it were the exact same conditions were you to test each one out, I believe the "high" level would be best; it might take a little more energy to get the temperature up, but it won't take the same amount to maintain that temperature.

Answer 3

I'm not an expert on Herbs but I remember once reading that Herb Albert liked to use beach towels to dry himself off after a concert and I remember reading that Herb Gardner liked to dry off the natural way by lying out in the sun after a swim. As to Herbie Hancock the dude was so cool wailing out the jazz that I doubt you could ever get him completely dried out. I personally prefer drying the natural way but I don't have a swimming pool so I think the most practical way is with a dry cotton towel. I can't speak for all the Herbs in the world but we can assume this is the more standard procedure for drying yourself for immediate use.

Answer 4

high