Your washing machine may use up to 10
kilowatt hours per load, and your dryer can use as much as 5 kilowatt hours per
load. This means that you could be using 15 kilowatt hours of electricity with
every load of laundry.
Wash Full Loads
Over 70% of the cost of washing a load of clothes is in
heating the water. With an electric water heater a load of clothes will use
about 10 kilowatt hours. Set the water levels appropriately and make every
effort to wash full loads.
Consider Energy-Efficient Models
If you're in the market for a new washing machine, consider
purchasing a new horizontal-axis model. The new model uses 1/3 less water than
a conventional top loading machine so you can save as much as 6,000 gallons of
water per year as well as the costs associated with pumping and heating that
water.
Don't Overwork Your Clothes
Most clothes need only a 10 to 15 minute wash cycle to get
clean. Over drying will make them stiff, wrinkled and nearly impossible to iron
and they'll wear out faster too. Wash and dry for only as long as necessary.
Dry Full Loads
A load dried for 30 minutes can use up to 5 kilowatt hours.
Since you're going to use that much electricity, you might as well dry a full
load.
Use Cold Water As Often As Possible
Washing in cold water will get most clothes just as clean.
Besides, they'll fade less and have fewer wrinkles. You might even save on
ironing. Save washing in warm water for whites or hard to clean items. At least
consider rinsing in cold water.
Get The Lint Out
Clean your dryer's lint screen after every use. Besides
keeping your clothes looking good, a lint-free dryer works much more
efficiently.
Do It For Free
Use the sun to dry your clothes. It's free, and the only
energy it requires is your own energy to hang them on the line.
Check Your Hose and Faucet Connections
Check for hose cracks and leaky faucet connections. Both
can cause you to lose hot water every time you wash a load of clothes.
