Energy saving techniques - Laundry

About 90% of the energy consumed in a typical wash load is for heating the water. Generally, unless the stains you are trying to remove involve oil or grease, the washing machine will do its job the same with either cold or hot water. Choosing to wash your clothes in cooler water can save you quite a bit of energy.

Your clothes drier is also a huge energy consuming culprit. There are several ways to save energy, the most effective being to air dry some clothes on a clothesline when the weather and fabric type permit it. Also, you should only be using the dryer for as long as is necessary to dry your clothes. Newer dryers have moisture sensors which shut off once the clothes are actually dry, but by experimenting with your older model dryer, you can probably determine approximately how long you have to leave the dryer on to dry your clothes.

Other small adjustments can help save energy as well. Cleaning the lint filter in the drier and making sure the exhaust vent isn't blocked both improve air circulation and the latter can help prevent a fire. You can also dry your clothes in batches to help optimize the length of time for the cycle, e.g. light fabrics like undergarments and t-shirts together for shorter times than when you wash the bath towels and heavier fabrics like jeans and sweatshirts. Finally, investing in a new washer that is Energy Star approved can save you about 50% energy.