| The washer and dryer are probably two of the | | | | Generally, if you laundry appliances days are |
| most commonly forgotten appliances in the | | | | numbered and you have older models, think about |
| house, but their energy consumption is | | | | buying new ones. First, newer models tend to be |
| considerable. You may have no idea about it, but | | | | much more efficient. This is especially true for |
| you can reduce your energy bills simply by | | | | dryers - new models are now commonly |
| changing a way of doing your laundry. I promise, | | | | equipped with moisture sensors which allow your |
| it will be painless and easy to do. | | | | dryer to stop working as soon as your clothes |
| First of all, remember that nine tenths of the | | | | are clean. While the purchase may be a little |
| energy used by a washer comes from the | | | | painful for your budget, the savings will quickly |
| heating of the water. Try to reduce the | | | | become visible and the appliances will pay itself off |
| temperature of your water and use cold water | | | | in a few years' time at most. |
| whenever possible. This will get rid of most of | | | | A tip: try to avoid cleaning towels after you use |
| your washer energy consumption while not | | | | them only once. A towel, if you hang it up and let |
| reducing the quality of laundry and your comfort | | | | it dry, can be safely re-used a few times before |
| level. Yes, things will still come clean. | | | | it gets dirty. This change may seem very simple, |
| As for the dryer: first of all, keep its vents clean. | | | | but it may reduce the time and energy you use |
| If they get clogged, they will reduce the dryer's | | | | for laundering your stuff by as much as 20% a |
| efficiency. Always clean the lint trap before loading | | | | month. |
| the dryer and check the vent if you think drying | | | | Many washers and dryers now are equipped with |
| goes slower or less efficiently than usual. | | | | timers that allow you to start them at a specific |
| However, the best solution is usually just to skip | | | | time. Set them to run at night when electric costs |
| the dryer, if you can. First, it saves a lot of | | | | are lower. If you do not have a timer on your |
| power. Then, it adds a fresh smell to your clothing | | | | washer or dryer, than just do your laundry later |
| if you dry them on a clothesline instead of inside | | | | in the day. Just switching your laundry usage to |
| your dryer. At the very least you can just | | | | evening hours can reduce energy costs by |
| partially dry your garments in the dryer and then | | | | another 10%. It all adds up! |
| hang them up to dry the rest of the way. | | | | |