The power consumption of a dryer primarily depends on the spin speed selected prior to drying during the washing phase, says a Testex study for textile labelling organisation Ginetex.
- In a bid to establish quantitative indicators of the electrical energy consumed when certain drying parameters are modified, the study identified significant differences in power consumption depending on spin speeds, fabric types and machine loads.
- This new research by the independent laboratory specialised in textile analysis and certification, Testex, follows a preliminary study focused on the same subject dating back to 2022.
KEY FINDINGS: Among other things, the study found:
- The study shows that the energy consumption of a tumble dryer depends significantly on the spin speed of the washing machine. A ‘standard’ wash cycle is therefore the most effective in limiting a tumble dryer’s energy consumption.
- A tumble dryer operating at full load consumes more energy than when it is at 50% of its capacity (or even up to 80%).
- Finally, if the garment remains slightly damp at the end of a programme, this reduces energy consumption by 10–30% (or around 0.3 kwh) and makes it easier to iron.
- The type of fabric affects energy consumption for drying. Typically, polyester consumes 70% less power compared to the standard washing cycle. In contrast, with cotton textiles, energy consumption can increase by 20 to 50% compared to a standard cycle.
- Average spin speeds (1000–1200rpm) push power consumption up by 10% for polyester and 30% for cotton, compared with a full-speed spin cycle.
- Low spin speeds (400–800 rpm) can multiply power consumption for drying by 4.5 for polyester and 2 for cotton.
THE CONTEXT: Care symbols provide customers with the succinct information needed to take proper care of garments, alleviating the need to multi-translate care information for destination markets.
- The care symbols are registered trademarks in over 80 countries, including the UK and all major European markets.
- Owned by Ginetex, the international textile labelling organisation, the ISO 3758 Standard symbols are also trademarked and companies must have a licence to use the care symbols.
- The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) is the UK organisation responsible for the use of the GINETEX symbols and can provide a care labelling licence that allows the use of the symbols throughout the world.
