In a closed room with an electric system controlled by a thermostat, would hanging a load of laundry to dry in that room require the system to work harder to maintain the temperature of the room?
evaporation of water is endothermic thus cooling the air therefore the answer is yes
In order to determine whether hanging a load of laundry to dry in a closed room with an electric system controlled by a thermostat would require the system to work harder, we need to consider a few factors.
One important factor is the moisture content of the laundry. When you hang wet laundry to dry, the moisture in the clothes will evaporate into the air, increasing the humidity of the room. Higher humidity levels can lead to a perception of higher temperature, as the moisture in the air can make it feel warmer. However, the actual temperature in the room would not change unless more heat is being added to the system.
If the room is completely closed and airtight, then the added humidity from the wet laundry may cause the thermostat to register a slightly higher temperature due to the increased humidity. In response, the electric system controlled by the thermostat may activate the cooling system more frequently to maintain the desired temperature, resulting in the system working harder.
On the other hand, if the room is not completely sealed, the increased humidity could potentially escape the room, minimizing the impact on the thermostat and the electric system. In this case, the system may not need to work harder to maintain the temperature.
Additionally, the size of the room, insulation, and the efficiency of the electric system will also play a role in determining the impact on the system's workload.
To summarize, hanging a load of laundry to dry in a closed room with an electric system controlled by a thermostat could potentially require the system to work harder if the increased humidity cannot effectively escape the room.