Are You Hanging Your Energy Dollars Out to Dry?

Keeping your clothes clean is important, but careless laundry habits can waste energy and leave your household budget to take the hit. There are measures you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your laundry routine. The money you save will come in handy for other purposes — like buying a new set of clothes.

Simple ways to save

Wash clothes using cold temperatures whenever possible to reduce water heating energy use.
To optimize energy use, wait until you have a full load before running your washer or dryer.
Sort clothing so it will dry more efficiently. For example, you can use lower time and temperature settings for thin synthetic fabrics.
Clean your dryer lint filter before every use to improve airflow and dryer efficiency.
Air dry laundry when you can. It saves energy and is gentler on clothes.
Clean your dryer vent regularly. A clogged vent reduces airflow and can become a fire hazard.

Energy efficiency upgrades

If your clothes washer or dryer is older or in need of repair, consider upgrading to ENERGY STAR®-certified models. ENERGY STAR washers and dryers are independently tested to ensure that they use up to 25% less energy than standard models while still providing the performance you expect.

Also, consider upgrading to an ENERGY STAR-certified heat pump water heater. A high-efficiency unit can reduce the cost of heating water for laundry and other applications around your home. Heat pump waters may be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the installed costs, subject to a maximum amount of $2,000. State and local financial incentives may also apply.

With a few simple changes and targeted upgrades, you can clean up your laundry routine and make better use of your energy dollars.