Tag Archive for: laundry

Laundry is no one’s favorite chore! It doesn’t help that washers and dryers are among the costliest appliances to operate. The reality is that we are stuck with doing laundry chores at least a few loads of laundry each week, 

Are you looking for ways to do your part to conserve energy? 

Read on to know that it’s worth taking steps to reduce energy use.

When is the best time to wash clothes? 

Your washing machine will use the same amount of energy regardless of what time you run it. When you choose to do laundry has an impact on how much energy your washer and dryer consume. However, depending on your energy provider’s rates, you can often save on your energy bill by washing your clothes at different times of the day.

• Try washing before 12 PM. or after 7 PM. The best time to wash clothes to save energy is usually outside peak demand hours. Many energy companies charge extra for electricity during their “peak hours,” which see increased energy usage. 
• During the summer, run your washer early in the morning – energy use peaks on hot afternoons. 
• Winter weather drives demand for electricity earlier in the morning, so wash your clothes late at night. 

Create a laundry schedule with specific details on how many washes and types of load you are doing. This way will make your laundry routine work with your specific home, life, and family in mind and never run out of clean clothes again. Understanding how your current habits affect washer energy usage is the first step toward a more energy-efficient laundry system. 

How do you save money when doing the laundry?

Coldwater Washes 

Washing your clothes in cold water could save you $60 a year. Washing in cold water is also more than just a smart laundry energy-saving tip. Lower temperatures can help your clothes last longer by protecting dyes and preventing shrinkage.

Opt for Air Dry or Use Drying Racks 

Air drying can help spare your energy bill an extra dry cycle and adds to your favorite T-shirt’s shelf life. Air-drying clothes on indoor clothing racks or outdoor clotheslines is the most cost-effective way to reduce laundry energy consumption. Air-drying may take longer, however, and the effectiveness of drying clothes outdoors, it goes without saying, is dependent on the weather.

Go for Bigger Loads

When it comes to small vs. large loads of laundry, a full load is a more energy-efficient option. If you need to do a smaller load, be sure to choose the appropriate size setting on your washing machine. 

The same goes for dryer energy usage. Dry only full loads, and try to dry two or more loads in a row to take advantage of retained heat from the previous drying cycle.

Clean the Dryer’s Lint Trap

Clean your dryer’s lint filter every time you dry a load of laundry. Doing so improves airflow and dryer efficiency while reducing the risk of fire. Dryer lint is extremely flammable and can combust in hot environments. 

Set-Up Sensor Drying Mode

Set up sensor drying if you have it. Overdrying clothes is a waste of energy. If your dryer has a sensor drying function, use it to detect low moisture levels so you aren’t tumble-drying and heating already dry clothes.

Use Dryer at Night

Dryers emit heat, which puts pressure on your HVAC system. To reduce the effect a dryer has on your home environment, run it at night when temperatures are lower.

Choose Natural Gas Over Electric Dryer

All clothes dryers use some electricity. Electricity powers the drums that tumble the clothes. Where the potential savings comes in is with the energy that heats the air drying the clothes. It’s here that natural gas is the winner.  Natural gas dryers heat up and dry clothing faster, shortening load times and reducing energy consumption. 

Go for Front-loading Washing Machine 

Front-loaders may typically have a greater tub capacity which means that it can run fewer loads to clean the same amount of laundry. It also tends to remove more water during the spin cycles, which in turn means less energy is needed to dry the clothes, assuming you’re using a clothes dryer. If you air dry, all things are equal obviously. Top-loading washing machines also use more energy to agitate the clothing.

I hope this article has enlightened you on saving energy on your laundry. If you are looking for a laundry service, let Lucy’s Laundry and Dry Cleaning redefine your laundry routine.  

We are the #1 laundry Service for Busy Parents and Professionals. We give you back your valuable time by taking laundry off your hands… for good!

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