Meaningful Modulation

Over the last few years, the shift toward high-end products has become pronounced in the laundry market. Consumers are more than willing to pay a premium for clothes washers that deliver superior performance. In general, however, the same performance gains have not been realized for clothes dryers. Focus group studies show that waiting for clothes to dry is a significant issue and consumers are willing to pay more for a faster, gentler clothes dryer. By modulating the heat in a gas dryer, significant time savings and reduced fabric temperatures can be achieved in an energy-saving design that adds minimal cost. The key factor is developing a system that matches the heat input to the fabrics' ability to absorb it. With funding from the Department of Energy, TIAX has developed a modulating gas clothes dryer design that meets consumers' requirements.