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Laundry Tips
No Cost
- Clean the lint from the clothes dryer after every load. The efficiency of the dryer goes down when lint collects over the dryer filter. Run full loads and use the moisture-sensing setting. Save 5% on your electric bill.
- Dry similar types of fabrics together. For example, put towels together in one load. A lower dryer temperature may be used for certain clothes. See the owner's manual for more information.
- Keep the clothes dryer's outside exhaust clean. A clogged exhaust lengthens drying time and increases energy use.
- Line-dry clothes whenever possible. This can save up to 5% of your energy costs.
- Presoak or use the soak cycle when washing heavily soiled garments. You will avoid two washings and save energy.
Good Investment
- Buy an ENERGY STAR clothes washer, which uses 50% less energy and 40% less water per load than a conventional machine. Save as much as $113 annually.
- Choose a clothes washer with a "mini-basket." A mini-basket is a small tub that fits over the agitator, allowing you to wash very small loads.
- Choose the right size clothes washer for your needs. ENERGY STAR clothes washers are available in many sizes, ranging in capacity from 1.6 to 3.8 cubic feet.
- Install high-efficiency commercial washers, including but not limited to front-loading machines, which can cut energy costs up to 50% and use about 30% less water (18 to 25 gallons of water per load, compared to 40 gallons used by a standard machine). Energy-efficient and front-loading commercial clothes washers also last five to 10 years longer than standard, top-loading machines.
- Select a gas clothes dryer if possible. Gas dryers cost on average 15 to 20 cents per load to operate, while electric dryers cost on average 30 to 40 cents per load.
- When shopping for energy-efficient appliances, don't be misled by labels such as "Energy Miser," "Energy Saver" and "Fuel Saver." The best way to determine energy efficiency of appliances is to compare information provided by EnergyGuide labels.