Solar-assisted electric clothes dryer using a home attic as a heat source

Technical Report · Fri Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5632235· OSTI ID:5632235

Stana, J. M.

This study was undertaken to determine the suitability of using a southeastern home attic as a means of reducing the energy consumption of an electric clothes dryer. An inexpensive duct (duplicable for $25) was constructed to collect hot attic air from the peak of a south facing roof and introduce it into the dryer inlet. Instrumentation was added to measure inlet temperatures and operating time/energy consumption of the dryer. Standardized test loads, in addition to normal laundry, were observed over the period of one year. The heat-on time of the dryer tested was shown to be reduced .16 to .35 minutes per /sup 0/C rise in inlet temperature. Inlet temperatures produced by the attic duct peaked at 56/sup 0/C(133/sup 9/F) in May/June and 40/sup 0/C(104/sup 0/F) in February. Based on peak temperatures available between 2 and 4 pm each month, a potential 20% yearly average savings could be realized. Economic viability of the system, dependant primarily on dryer usage, can be computed using a formula derived from the test results and included in the report.

• Research Organization: Energy Alternatives, Longwood, FL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG44-80R410101
• OSTI ID: 5632235
• Report Number(s): DOE/R4/10101-T1; ON: DE84000746
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140909* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Miscellaneous Solar Applications-- (1980-)
AIR HEATERS
APPLIANCES
ATTICS
CLOTHES DRYERS
DRYERS
DUCTS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
EQUIPMENT
HEATERS
HEATING
HYGROMETRY
PERFORMANCE
PSYCHROMETRY
SOLAR AIR HEATERS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING