Energy – Saving Laundry Room Tips and Tricks

Throughout this month, we have concentrated on providing energy-saving suggestions for the laundry room. Here are a few recommendations to get you started.

1). Remember to plan your laundry loads ahead of time to reduce strain on the electrical grid. Peak demand times are 7 to 11 a.m. in the winter and 4 to 8 p.m. in the summer.

2). Consider air drying your clothes when possible to save money and prolong the life of your fabrics. In the winter, tumble-dry your clothes on a low heat setting to conserve energy. Also, switch loads while the dryer is warm. This will allow you to use the remaining heat inside of the dryer for the next cycle.

3). Use dryer balls. Wool or rubber dryer balls will help separate your clothes and get more air to them, cutting drying time. They can also reduce static so you don’t need dryer sheets. The wool balls are said to absorb some moisture, further cutting drying time.

4). Inspect your dryer vent at least twice a year to make sure it’s not costing you extra money.

5). Only wash full loads of clothing to cut back on the number of times you have to do laundry. Additionally, wash laundry with cold water to save energy, but keep in mind that you might need warm water for certain fabrics or to sanitize your laundry. Use warm water during the winter months if you live in a particularly cold climate.

6). Clean the lint filter on the dryer. They dryer will run more efficiently and safely. If you use dryer sheets, scrub the filter once a month with a toothbrush to remove film buildup that can reduce air circulation.

7). Use the moisture sensor option if your dryer has one. This will automatically shut off the machine when the clothes are done drying. It will save you energy and reduce wear and tear on your clothes caused by over-drying them.

8). Make sure your washer and dryer are ENERGY STAR certified. ENERGY STAR washers use about 25% less energy than conventional models and ENERGY STAR dryers use 20% less energy than their non-certified models.

Implementing these few ideas will help save on your utility bills in the future, while also making your home safe and comfortable.