Washer and Dryer

Next to the refrigerator, the washer and dryer are typically the biggest draw on the American electric bill. They use about 920 watts per hour to run. On average, that comes out to about $3.60 a day to use. Since most people only use them once, maybe twice a week, this costs the averge person about $15 per month. If you think you might like to improve these scores, try some of these simple ideas;

1. Wash in cold water. Using hot water for showers only will help reduce the hot water heater use, thus lowering your overall electric draw within your home. Up to 90% of the washer/ dryer electric expense is from heating the hot water cycle. Unless you really need it hot, cold water will do just fine.
2. Wait until you have a fairly full load. Using these appliances to wash 3-4 items can add a lot more than you think to your electric bill.
3. Front loading washers are believed to be more efficient because they use less water to get the job done. Using less water means heating less water, and finishing cycles a lot faster.
4. Don’t forget to clean both the washer, and the dryer, including the lint trap. Dust and mold can colect and make these appliances less efficinet, making them work harder to do the same job.
5. By running your dryer on the ‘no heat’ cycle, this will also help reduce the electric draw. Rolling clothes around in there with no heat will still dry them, and if you hang them up right away you will not get any wrinkles either.
6. Better still, if you have the ability to line dry them, this will also put off drawing more electrciity than you need to.
7. If you are in the market for a new dryer, check out the new ‘sensor technology’ found in newer models. This will turn the dryer off when the clothes are truly dry, and not just run the cycle. There is a temperature guage inside that can read the moisture content, and respond accordingly.

If you are serious about reducing your electric draw, and making a positive impact on your enviornment, start with your appliances. Everybody’s got them, but few really know how to use them to their full potencial.