Solar-Assisted Electric Clothes Dryer Using a Home Attic as a Heat Source

摘要

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 exp 0 C rise in inlet temperature. Inlet temperatures produced by the attic duct peaked at 56 exp 0 C(133 exp 9 F) in May/June and 40 exp 0 C(104 exp 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. (ERA citation 08:057077)