Money and energy saving washing machine tips you can use

Do loads of good

by: Kate Goodloe

The summer sun is a great tool to dry your clothes. But hanging your laundry on the line isn’t the only way to be more efficient when you do the wash.

Your washing machine is a great place to start when you are trying to reduce your energy use. Unlike clothes dryers, where there is little difference in energy efficiency among different models and brands, clothes washers come in a great variety of shapes and efficiencies. Choosing the right model and using it wisely can lead to big energy savings – and that helps both your home and the environment.

New, efficient washing machines that meet the Energy Star standard cut both energy use and water consumption by 40% when compared to normal washers, according to Energy Star. Two main features are responsible for the bulk of these savings. First, the new models are front-loading, and they don’t have a central agitator. So instead of filling a tub full of water, the new machines tumble your laundry through a small amount of water. Second, they have a very high spin speed – and that extracts more water from your clothes, helping them dry quickly and ensuring they don’t use a lot of time or energy in the dryer.

These more efficient models make a big difference. While traditional machines can use 40 gallons of water for each load of laundry, efficient machines use far less. Over the span of a year, they can save 7,000 gallons of water over a traditional washing machine, according to Energy Star. And because they don’t have an agitator, they can fit more clothing – an average of 20 pounds, compared with 15 pounds in a standard washer. The way you use the machines is important, too.

Always wash your clothes in cold water, if possible. About 90% of the energy your washer consumes is used just to heat the water. Avoid the hot cycle, and don’t use the sanitary cycle, which increases the water to very hot temperatures and uses a great amount of energy. Switching the temperature setting from hot water to warm for a load of laundry can reduce your energy use by one half, according to Energy Star. Using cold water is even better.

When you do the wash, make sure you are filling up the machine with dirty clothes. Washing a small load of laundry uses roughly the same amount of energy as washing a large load, so run it at capacity when possible. Also use the high-speed spin option, so that the washer will extract as much water from your clothes as possible to help them dry quickly.

Finally, if you are using a new, efficient front-loading washer, make sure you are caring for it properly. Only use high efficiency detergent, as regular detergent will create too many soapsuds in front-loading machine. And leave the door open for an hour or two after your laundry is done. Because the door is made to be watertight, it won’t let any water evaporate from your machine if you keep it closed. Leaving the door open for an hour allows the remaining moisture to evaporate, and keep your machine working well.




DISCLAIMER: The information and opinions expressed on this blog are not an endorsement or recommendation for any medical treatment, product or course of action by One For The Aging. For medical, legal or other advice, please consult appropriate professionals of your choice.




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