About
ASAP

Clothes Dryers

Last Updated: October 2007
See the federal standards main page to view current status

The initial clothes dryer standard was set by Congress in 1987 and outlawed constantly burning pilot lights in gas dryers.  DOE revised the standard in 1994 (effective 3 years later).  The new standard requires a temperature or moisture sensor in order to end the drying cycle when clothes are dry.  There is no Energy Star specification for clothes dryers.

• Federal Documentation (DOE Web site)

DOE is scheduled to start a rulemaking to set a new dryer standard in fall 2007, to be completed June 2011, and taking effect three years later. (January 2006)