Want to Save on Energy Costs? Look to Your Laundry
Posted by Lee Cameron on Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 at 12:47pm.Who doesn't want to save a little money? Cutting down on your energy use is a good - and fairly easy - way to start. And, bonus, it's good for the environment too!
For instance, did you know that your washer and dryer are two of the biggest energy hogs in your homes? Well, it's true. Saving energy with your washer and dryer is easy. First of all, the amount of energy you use (and possibly waste) is dependent on the age and model of your machines. Newer models are usually far more energy efficient than older ones and models with the Energy Star label are especially efficient. If you find yourself in need of a new washer or dryer, look for one with the Energy Star label.
But no matter how old your machines are, there are still ways to save energy and money. For one, whenever possible, wash your clothes with cold water. If you have especially dirty clothes, try using spot remover or presoaking them and then washing them with warm water. Even just switching from hot to warm water can cut your energy usage by half! Also, make sure that you wait until you have a full load before you run the washing machine. If you must do a smaller load, make sure that you set the water level to the appropriate level.
Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot you can do with your dryer that will make it more energy efficient (aside from getting a more efficient model, of course). So why not try drying clothes the old fashioned way during one of our sunny days? Putting your clothes on a line or a folding rack and letting them air dry will save you a ton of energy costs. You'll also get that nice, fresh, sun-dried feel to your clothes!
Give it a shot and let me know if you notice a difference!
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Not only dose ENERGY STAR washers save water per load, but they also save the longevity of your clothes. Instead of twisting and pulling clothes around a turning agitator in the middle of your washer, a front-load washers uses a refined wash systems that softly flips and rotates clothes through a light flow of water.
Plus not to mention that ENERGY STAR washers qualify for an energy tax credit!
Posted on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 6:35 PM.