If you have a washer and dryer at home, there are a number of things you can do to decrease your Stream Energy bill. While you may not have to fish quarters out of your coin jar and go to the laundromat, you’re still paying to do laundry.
You may not even be aware of just how much laundry is costing you. Even if it’s not a lot compared to the other energy expenses in your home, you’ll be doing better for the environment. In the following, we’ll go over some tips on reducing your energy impact while getting all your clothes and bedding clean.
The first tip is one you’ve probably heard of. Washing with cold water uses less energy than using warm or hot water. So where you can, choose the cold option to wash your clothes. If you have some heavily soiled items to wash, a high efficiency, or HE, detergent (if your machine is compatible) can do an excellent job of cleaning on a cold setting. If your machine calls for an HE detergent, make sure to use one. It will create less suds, and with repeated use, prevent machine odor. HE detergent also keeps your machine in good working order.
If you have an older machine, try using the warm setting for heavily soiled items. You’ll still be using less energy than if you used the hot setting. Some machines have a sanitary cycle, which uses hot water, and therefore more energy. Avoid using the sanitary cycle unless necessary in order to save on your energy bill.
Now let’s take some inspiration from the laundromat. If you’ve ever been to one, you’ve seen those signs that encourage you to run full loads. This isn’t just to be courteous to others waiting to clean their clothes. Wash full loads of laundry to save energy. Regardless of the amount of clothes that you put into the machine, the cycle will still run through the same way. So pile the clothes in. Just be aware of any specific capacities listed for your machine, especially with top loading washers.
Don’t pack the clothing in by pressing down, just fill the machine. If you don’t have enough clothes to fill the washing machine, wait until you have a larger load. You can always hand wash items if they are needed the same or following day.
Dryers will run cycles through regardless of how many articles of clothing you put in. Be aware that loading too much or too little will waste energy. Oversized dryer loads take longer to dry because the heat and air cannot disburse thoroughly. And very small dryer loads can also take more time. It seems counter-intuitive but you can always experiment and see how much is the optimal amount of clothing to dry in a set cycle. You’ll see that a larger sized load that’s not overpacked will dry the quickest.
You’ll also want to maximize washing efficiency by selecting a high-speed spin option if you have one on your machine. This will ring out more of the water from your clothing. In turn, your clothing will take a shorter time to dry.
Another way to save energy while drying your clothing is by running a cool-down cycle. This one might seem like it’s a waste of time or like it’s superfluous. But the cool-down cycle is an energy secret you have to know about. Basically, this cycle uses the hot air that stays in the machine after your standard drying and continues to tumble the clothing. So it’s a perfect energy-saving way to finish drying your clothing. You’ll also be happy that your polyester and metal zippers are not too hot to handle when you grab them straight out of the machine.
If you have the space for it, consider air drying your clothing. You can easily and quickly set up a rack or even use hangers from your closet and hang them from your shower rod. If you’re feeling more Pinterest about it, you can set up a laundry line outside and hang your clothing in the sun. Hanging your clothing can also cut down on ironing if you hang your clothing neatly. As an added bonus, you can set out items that you cannot wash (like a living room rug) to freshen outside.
Since you have your own washer and dryer at home, you’re also in charge of maintaining the machines. A drying machine with a blocked airway can cause it to dry clothing much slower. On a more day-to-day note, keep your lint trap clean and your dryer will work more efficiently.
The most expensive option is investing in some more energy-friendly washer and dryer machines. Do it if you were planning on replacing your machines anyway. You’ll put more money up-front but will end up saving on your energy bill in the long run. Many new machines come with estimates on approximately how much money you can save, so do your research. On a side note, you’ll also be reducing your impact on the environment by choosing one of these more energy-efficient options.
The government has a program called ENERGY STAR that ranks the energy efficiency of washer and dryer appliances. According to their website, you can save up to $380 in energy over the lifetime of your appliance by purchasing an ENERGY STAR certified machine. Washers use 25% less energy and 33% less water. So you’ll see a decrease on your water bill too! Dryers use 20% less energy. There are also rebates available, which reimburse part of the money you spend on a certified washer or dryer.
With these energy-saving tips, you’ll be able to make laundry a smaller dent on your Stream Energy bill. Start off by implementing the tip that’s easiest for you to do. Then once you gain traction, it will be simple for you to get motivated to shake up your laundry routine. Then, it’s time to tackle the other parts of the house that use a significant amount of energy!
Dil Bole Oberoi
