Most households do more or less 400 laundry loads every year, which costs about $600. A majority of these costs are due to heating for washing and drying clothes. What many of them don’t know is there are many ways to lower laundry costs by reducing your energy consumption. Here’s how:
When Washing Clothes
- Do full loads. Washing small loads takes the same amount of electricity as doing a full load.
- Save money by washing clothes in cold water. Washing clothes in warm or hot water cost about $1.55, compared to $1.20 when using cold water.
- Opt for a front-loading washer. This type of washing machine uses 2/3 less water than top-loading washers, which in turn reduces heating and water costs.
- Go for an energy-efficient washing machine. Make sure it has the Energy Star certification since certified washers utilize about 15 gallons of water for each load, while regular washers use 23 gallons per load.
When Drying Clothes
- Clean lint after every wash. Have the ducts cleaned at least once a year, advises dryer repair and maintenance experts in West Valley. This way, you’ll use less energy and dry your clothes faster.
- Spin your clothes faster. The faster the cycle, the less time your clothes would need to dry.
- Place the dryer in a warm location, if possible. Basically, your dryer would use less energy for heating when the air around it is already warm.
- Try drying only full loads. Avoid mixing slow and fast drying clothes in one load. Otherwise, you’d just be wasting energy since your dryer would continue drying clothes that are already dry.
- Consider a gas dryer. Gas dryers are more energy-efficient and cost less to operate than electric dryers.
- Take advantage of Mother Nature’s offerings. During summer and sunny weather, dry your clothes outside instead of using your dryer. If you’re not allowed to have a clothesline due to HOA rules or space restrictions, set up a drying rack inside your laundry room.
Keep in mind that when doing laundry, you have plenty of money-saving options, even if you’re doing laundry for a family of 10. Plus, you get to reduce your carbon footprint — it’s a win-win all around. Don’t forget to maintain your washer and dryer to help increase their service life and maintain their efficiency.