Thomas Atmospheric Dryer

Description

15% of the population live in arid environments, yet they pay to heat air? In this project I show you how to modify an old LG gas dryer to perform better than energy star, and heat pump dryers. I calculate I will be saving over $100.00 a year by using the already dry air from the arid environment outside to dry my clothes. It will also save time due to not having to clothesline individual pieces, worry about dust storms, rain, or having to use lots of fabric softener to prevent rough towels or socks. It also allows for the dryer to run indoors, away from the heat, dust and UV rays. Additionally I won't be heating up and pumping my air conditioned air out of my house. As a added bonus the washroom is now a much cooler place to be in, and the dryer produces about 75% less lint.

Details

15% of people in the USA Live in arid environments, most could be saving 100$ a month

4.6 million people live in the Phoenix\Tuscon\Yuma metro areas of Arizona alone.

(that is more than the population of Ireland)

841 Million People live in arid environments throughout the world

All could "possibly" benefit from my hack

This is a true hack and no arduinos were used/harmed, so nothing to complain about.

****Warning, do not just add an intake to the outside world with a gas dryer without removing the gas components, extreme pressure differentials caused by wind will change the air/fuel ratio. This will cause at least inefficiency or at most a fire.****

Components

1 × 1 LG Gas Dryer I used a DLG2526W

1 × 5 inch to 4 inch reducer

1 × Semi-rigid 4" Dryer Hose Length depends on a number of factors

2 × 4" 90 degree elbow Optional

2 × 6 inch to 4 inch reducer

Project Logs

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Living with an atmospheric dryer
David Thomas • 05/30/2016 at 07:54 • 0 comments

The loads that used to take 45 min in the dryer take 1:15-1:30, only a little bit less than hanging up. But I don't have to hang up laundry if I don't want to. I have a bounce bar(recently discontinued), but it should last me a really long time because the clothes never get hot. In fact the air leaving the dryer is cooler than coming in (due to the evaporative cooling effect). The clothes also take less of a beating without the heat, so there is not a lot of lint, and I never need to worry about designs fading or cracking or melted fabrics. If you want your clothes extra soft, or don't have a bounce bar follow this recipe for cheap fabric softener it works great (the second recipe in the link provided)
http://happymoneysaver.com/homemade-liquid-fabric-softener-recipe-works-best/
About
David Thomas • 05/30/2016 at 01:44 • 0 comments
Teardown\Build
David Thomas • 05/30/2016 at 01:43 • 0 comments

Use this video till 2:30 to teardown(should apply for both LG gas and electric dryers). Looks like its alot but only takes about 10 min to teardown.
You can do this lightbulb mod when tearing down to save a little energy(totally optional)
Internal Mods to Gas and electric dryers LG Dryers are about 90% similar, but still tread lightly, and test before throwing clothes in later. The "holes" I'm refering to are on the back of that assembly, don't cover the small round holes!
Re-assemble the dryer by re-watching this video from 3:39 on. Takes about 10 min.
Intake and filter setup
Intake and filtering system
David Thomas • 05/30/2016 at 01:42 • 0 comments

Intake and filter setup
Cost Comparisons
David Thomas • 05/30/2016 at 01:16 • 0 comments

DLE3050W LG Energy Star Electric Dryer - 2.25 kwh per load
Initial Cost $699
Cost per year $117.00 per year
$00.13/kwh average with 400 Loads
*untold costs from pumping air conditioned, air from house
DLE3170W LG Energy Star Electric Dryer- 2.1kwh per load
Initial Cost $699
Cost per year $109.20
$00.13/kwh average with 400 Loads
*untold costs from pumping air conditioned, air from house
DLHX4072 LG Energy Star Eco Heat Pump Electric Dryer- 1.9kwh per load
Initial Cost $1198
Cost per year $98.80
$00.13/kwh average with 400 Loads
*untold costs from pumping air conditioned, air from house
DLG2526W LG Gas Dryer (converted to atmospheric)- .27kwh per load
Initial Cost $140 used +$100 in parts (or $799 roundabouts for a brand new model)
Cost per year $14.04
$00.13/kwh average with 400 Loads
*Does not significantly remove air conditioned, air from house
Line Drying
Initial cost free-50$
Cost per year(10 min to hang up, 10 min to bring down)
*Does not significantly remove air conditioned, air from house
Note: all data was compiled from manufactures websites, energy guides, and my kill-a-watt meter. Atmospheric Dryer calculated as, 180wX1.5hrs. If 190wX1.5hrs it would be .28kwh per load or $14.56 per year.