Spring is a time for wet clothes and wet towels-which means your dryer definitely gets a workout! Studies show that only 3 percent of dryers in Canada are natural gas-which means that 97 percent of Canadians are missing out on significant savings.

Natural gas dryers offer faster drying times, and can save you money on your energy bills over electric dryers. Lifetime appliance cost estimates indicate that, even if you have an existing electric dryer, replacing it with a gas dryer is likely an economical option. (Check out Natural Resources Canada's handy savings charts.)

If you do decide to get a natural gas dryer, you'll need a licensed heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technician to install it for you. When buying a dryer, keep these tips in mind:

• Buy a dryer that's the right size for your use. If you tend to do small loads of laundry, a compact dryer will work well for you. If you save up your laundry for "laundry day," you might benefit from a machine with a bigger capacity. Drying small loads in a standard or large-capacity dryer wastes energy and costs you more money.
• Look for moisture-sensing and other features. Some machines will automatically shut down when they sense that clothes are dry, meaning your clothes won't over dry and you won't be spending extra money. Adjustable temperatures can also help you only use the heat you need.
  For more information, take a look at Natural Resources Canada's section on natural gas clothes dryers.

*Information provided by Enbridge Energy Club Newsletter.