Energy-Saving Tips for Washing Machines and How to Save Money on Laundry

I am determined to do every possible way to cut down our electricity bill.  Last time, I posted energy-saving tips for refrigerators. Today, I looked up for practical ways to reduce a washing machine's energy consumption and how to save money on laundry. 

1. Wash with cold water. According to EnergySavers.gov, 90% of the energy used by a conventional top-load washing machine is for heating the water. 

2. Wash in full load. The washer uses the same of energy when washing a half load or a full load so you save more time energy if you choose the latter. 

3. Remove lint. Regularly clean the dryer and washer to remove lint. Lint gets in the way of the airflow and causes the dryer to work harder and consume more energy. (Check out Cloth Diaper Nation for ideas on how to recycle lint) 

4. Shorten the wash cycle. If clothes are not that dirty, you can reduce the "wash" minutes.

5. Measure the detergent you use. Use a cup to make sure that you don’t put in too much than what is needed for the load. 

6. Shorten spin drying. For light clothes, a short spin in the dryer should be enough to remove excess water so they can be hung to dry.

7. Hang to dry. On sunny days, skip the dryer and hang clothes in a clothes line or a drying rack to reduce energy consumption. 

8. Know when it’s time to wash. Some clothing pieces such as jackets and sweaters can be worn a couple of times before they need washing. Don’t toss it in the hamper right away. Instead, hang it neatly on a hanger or a clothing rack. (Read "The When-to-Wash-It Handbook" by Real Simple)

9. Check the ENERGY STAR label. If you live in the US and you plan to buy a washing machine, make sure it has the ENERGY STAR label. Use the EnergyGuide to compare which machine will enable you to conserve energy. 

10. Choose a front-loading washer. Front-loading washing machines are more energy efficient than top-loading machines. Investing on this type of washer will enable to cut down your electricity bill and save money over the long term. 

What energy-saving and money-saving tips can you share? 

What did you think of this article? I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you enjoyed the read or if you find it useful, kindly please click any of the sharing icons below. You can Tweet, Stumble, Share it on Facebook or +1 it.

Thanks,
Rachel:)




photos:
1. laundry day 
2. laundry room
3. clothes line

Energy Saving Tips for Refrigerators and Freezers

According to Energy Savers, appliances account for about 17% of household energy consumption.  Add to that, a refrigerator uses almost five times electricity that the average television consumes.  We don't watch really watch TV but we do have a refrigerator.

We live in a city where the temperature can go down to as low as 10 degree Celsius.

What we do is unplug our refrigerator every night and usually the cold is enough to keep the food frozen until the next morning.  We wait when the motor goes off on its own before unplugging it from the power source.

I looked up more information on how we can minimize the energy consumption of this particular appliance so we can cut down our electricity bill.  Here's what I found:

If your refrigerator is too old, it will use up more energy. (Is it time for you to replace your old refrigerator or freezer? Check out this Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator to know the answer.)  Below are  tips to help reduce your fridge or freezer’s energy consumption: 

Position the refrigerator away from direct sunlight. Don’t place it near other appliances that produce heat such as heater, dishwasher, and oven. 

Leave enough room in between food packages especially on the sides, back, and top of your fridge to allow good air circulation. 

Allow food to cool down first before placing it inside the fridge.

Keep the door closed to prevent cold air from getting out. 

Don’t forget to defrost the freezer when the ice builds up. 

Clean the condenser coils regularly.

Make sure that the door seals are airtight. To test, insert a piece of paper between the seals and close the door. If you can pull the paper out easily, that means air is leaking. You can try to put petroleum jelly on the seals but if that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the seals. 

If you are going away for a few days or a few weeks, empty and clean the refrigerator, turn it off, unplug it from the power source and leave the door open. 

If you live in the US and plan to buy a new refrigerator, make sure it has the ENERGY STAR label. The US federal government requires most appliances to display the bright yellow and black EnergyGuide label so consumers can be aware of the annual energy consumption and operating cost for each appliance when doing comparison shopping.

For more tips on buying a refrigerator, visit the ACEEE’s website (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy).

What energy saving tips can you share? 

What did you think of this article? I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you enjoyed the read or if you find it useful, kindly please click any of the sharing icons below. You can Tweet, Stumble, Share it on Facebook or +1 it.

Thanks,
Rachel:)

photos:
1. refrigerator
2. pink refrigerator