Did you know that the average cost of a load of laundry costs about 68 cents? This doesn’t sound like much, but think about it – how many loads of a laundry does your family do per week? Multiply that by 52 weeks per year, and that’s a pretty penny.
Most laundry expenses come from heating the water for the washing machine and heating the air for the dryer, but there are some changes that you can make to save money and energy in your laundry room. Here’s how:
Upgrade your machine.
If you are updating or remodeling your laundry room, you might want to consider purchasing a new washing machine and dryer, as they end up paying for themselves in the long run. Many older machines cannot compare to environmentally-conscious efficiency that newer machines provide. If you do not already own an Energy Star-certified machine, it is a good idea to consider getting one. These machines only use 15 gallons of water per load, compared to the standard 23 gallons. And, if you purchase a front-loading model, they tend to use two-thirds less water than top-loading ones, which reduces both water and heating costs.
As for buying a new dryer, consider choosing a gas one. These machines can save anywhere from 15 to 33 cents per load when compared to other dryers.
Update your process.
Using cold water can save you a bundle and is a completely acceptable way to clean most loads. Washing in cold water only costs an average of 4 cents, which is a 64 cent savings compared to washing in hot or warm water.
Also, when you’re planning your laundry, try to make sure you run full loads. It takes the same amount of electricity to run a small load as it does to run a large one, so you will save both time and money by running only large loads. Relatedly, try not to mix fast and slow-drying clothes–it wastes energy to dry clothes that are no longer wet.
After you’ve planned your loads, select the fastest spin option on your washing machine, if you have that option. This will mean that your clothes will have to spend less time in the dryer. As you load the clothes, make sure that you have also cleaned out the lint trap! Your clothes will dry faster, resulting in the use of less energy.
Finally, consider using nature as a laundry help-mate. If the weather is good and you have the space for it, allow your clothes to dry outside. This will not only save electricity, but it will also give your clothes a touch of freshness that only Mother Nature can provide.
These small changes and upgrades can result in big energy and cost savings. If you are interested in completing the upgrades with a full laundry room remodel, contact Progressive Builders today! Our team will help create the home remodel of your dreams.
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