My elderly aunt will be moving into an assisted-living apartment this summer. I’m pricing clothes washers and dryers for her, because the ones she has are too old to be worth moving. Is it true that there are no energy-efficient dryers? My aunt will pay her own utility bills and she’s on a fixed income.

It’s true that you won’t find an energy-efficient clothes dryer. All clothes dryers are pretty much the same when it comes to energy efficiency; they’re all energy intensive. Unless, of course, your dryer is an outdoor clothes line. If air-drying laundry isn’t a realistic option for your aunt, your best first step actually has to do with the clothes washer that you’re also shopping for. Look for an ENERGY STAR® labeled model. These washers not only use less energy and less water, but they also remove more moisture, so you aunt won’t need to run her dryer as long.

As for the dryer itself, see if your aunt has the option to install a non-electric model. She’ll still use lots of energy, but she may pay less for that energy because electricity is typically more expensive than fossil fuels (gas, oil, etc.). Then, when shopping for a dryer (electric or otherwise), look for features that reduce energy use to a degree. (Every little bit helps in such a big energy user!) Consider a dryer with a moisture sensor located in the drum. This shuts off the machine when clothes are dry. Nearly as good an energy-saving shutdown mechanism is a temperature sensor that estimates dryness via the temperature of exhaust air. Also, look for a dryer with a cool-down or permapress feature, which uses cool air and the dryer’s residual heat in the final minutes of a cycle. When comparing models, look for the highest energy factor.

To further minimize your aunt’s ongoing drying costs, see that the exhaust hose is smooth metal and is as short and straight as possible. Then, make sure that it stays clear of built-up lint by cleaning it out as often as the dryer manufacturer recommends. Also, talk to your aunt about clearing the dryer’s lint screen after each load. Best of luck in your efforts to help your aunt in her new home.

- Kathleen for The Home Team

I’m trying to decide if it’s worth fixing a water problem in my basement or to just continue using a dehumidifier. It would help to know what the most energy-efficient dehumidifier is. That way, I can find out how much energy it uses and estimate the cost of keeping it running. Thanks for any help.

Glad to help! An ENERGY STAR® qualified dehumidifier uses 10-20% less energy than a standard model. Many companies manufacture dehumidifiers that have earned the ENERGY STAR label. The machine with the highest energy factor is the most efficient. For more information on moisture and dehumidifiers, visit www.efficiencyvermont.com and search for dehumidifiers. To find specific models, visit www.energystar.gov.

I want to emphasize that it’s worth trying to reduce the need for dehumidification or, if feasible, to fix the cause of basement water problems. You’ll not only lower electricity costs for dehumidifying but you’ll also protect yourself and your house from problems that moisture can cause. Those problems can include wood rot, mold, and mildew that can damage the house and items in it, and can create indoor air quality problems.

Common sources of basement moisture are outdoor air or groundwater, each with their own solutions. The latter requires a pricier fix. I suggest that you get opinions from a few contractors so that you can determine the cause of the problem and get estimates on solutions. Meanwhile, it makes sense to take some simple steps to minimize basement moisture. For example, don’t dry green firewood inside. Use an outdoor clothes line instead of air-drying laundry indoors. Keep basement windows and doors closed in the summer because warmer air from outdoors and from living spaces will condense on cooler basement surfaces.

- Li Ling for The Home Team