Although investing in an energy-efficient washer and dryer goes a long way toward saving energy, there are many other simple things you can do to help save the earth from right inside your laundry room. Even on little-to-no budget, you can easily apply these six tips to make a change in your home’s energy consumption.
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Use Cold Water
Cold water is sufficient enough to clean most clothes, so using water that’s any warmer is just a waste. Heating up water, even just a few degrees, requires a lot of energy. Switching the wash cycle to cold will easily cut your electric or gas bills. Only use hot water on heavily solid laundry, or pre-treat these loads before washing in cold water.
Run Full Loads
Although contrary to what you may think, it actually takes the same amount of energy to run a small load of laundry as it does a large one. Running a small load is a huge waste when you will simply have to do another right after. Let your dirty clothes accumulate until you have enough for a full load, and wash them every week or so.
Update Your Machine
Having an Energy Star-certified washer is a must when trying to conserve energy. A standard machine uses an average of 23 gallons of water per load, whereas an Energy Star one only uses around 15 gallons. That eight gallon difference quickly adds up over the course of days, weeks and months. Imagine all the money that can be saved on your water bill! Save money while shopping and research new machines online at trusted outlets like AppliancesConnection.com.
Front-loading machines use up to 60 percent less water than older machines, reducing both water and energy consumption. If you don’t have one already, consider upgrading.
Clean Lint Filters
Lint that becomes clogged in the dryer filter can unnecessarily lengthen the drying time, so make sure to clean it out after every cycle. Besides saving energy, this lint build-up also poses a fire hazard if it were to heat up enough.
Keep Dryers in a Warm Location
A dryer that is operating in a cold environment has to use more energy to heat the air. Run the dryer in a warm or hot location to help conserve energy. Garages and basements are notorious for getting very hot, so putting the dryer there is a good idea.
There are literally hundreds more ideas you can use to save energy while doing your laundry. However, the most effective way is to invest in an energy-efficient washer and dryer. Regardless, keep these tips in mind to help cut costs and make your home a little more eco-friendly.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter, @BrookeChaplan.
