Currently the United States Department of Energy does not have an “Energy Star” label for comerical clothes dryers—meaning they are not government regulated or monitored. This is because the energy consumption of most clothes dryers do not vary greatly. However, they should instate regulation. The energy usage of comercial clothes dryers is one of the highest, right behind refrigerators. (http://energystar.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/energystar.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=2984 )
   
    Properly used (http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/clothes_dryers_fact_sheet_and_energy_cost_comparison ), gas powered models are generally less expensive in money and resources than electric models. (http://www.ncsustainableenergy.org/resources/greenbuilding/faq ) A gas powered model usually costs about 25 to 30 cents a load, versus the 45 to 60 cents per load in an electricity powered model. Over the life time of a clothes dryer—about 12 years--it could cost about $1,100 to operate. (http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/clothes_dryers_fact_sheet_and_energy_cost_comparison )

    Energy efficiency of clothes dryers are measured in pounds of clothing dried per kilowatt/hour (kw/h). The average clothes dryer runs about 2.6-3 pounds per kw/h (http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/clothes_dryers_fact_sheet_and_energy_cost_comparison ). And for every kw/h about 1.5 pounds of CO2 is released into the atmosphere. The average clothes dryer can dry 30 lbs of clothing. (http://www.greenandmore.com/staber-commercial-quality-dryers.html?itemId=279 ) Therefore, at the most efficient setting, a load of laundry “produces” 15 lbs of CO2.

    A simple clothes line or clothing horse can dry a load of laundry in a day on cool or damp days and several loads on dry and hot day—depending on size. Plus, clothes dryers are notoriously bad for clothing. They cause shrinkage in fabric and weakening of material. Some clothing made from synthetic fibers shouldn’t even be used in clothes dryers as it could melt or ruin the materials.