AN everyday appliance in many Americans’ households is sucking up about 10 times as much electricity compared to washing machines.
The item is considered essential to some, but could be making energy bills spike higher than they realize.
Making some changes could results in monthly savings (stock image)[/caption]
While not everyone has a washer and dryer in their apartment unit or at their home, those that do certainly pay for the convenience.
Larger families, or Americans who dry laundry frequently at a rate of about five loads per week, use around 40 to 120 kilowatt-hours (kWh) every month, according to what an expert told The US Sun.
Each individual load also takes about 2,000 to 6,000 watts for the electric dryer.
Compared to the same usage with a washing machine at around 0.3 to 0.6 kWh per load, that’s about 10x more energy required for the electric dyer in comparison.
Of course, there are ways to ensure that the electric dyer is operating as efficiently as possible to reduce unneeded usage and decrease energy bill costs.
First and foremost would be to not use it if it’s not needed, hang drying clothes or getting a clothes drying rack, per Consumer Reports.
Walmart sells the Mainstays Functional and Energy Saving Oversized Collapsible Steel Closets Clothes Drying Rack in silver for just $19.98.
Additionally, ensuring the lint filter is clear after every load and cleaning out the area where the lint filter sits improves air circulation and drying efficiency.
If the electric dryer has a sensor drying cycle, that can be advantageous as it will be able to tell the moment the clothes are sufficiently dry and shut off.
Choosing lower heat settings and running loads of similar fabrics at the same time can also work to reduce energy usage.
WATCH OUT
Washers can also be “energy hogs,” according to what Corey Gilgan, owner of Oregon Generators, a company that specializes in residential and commercial generator installation and electrical solutions, told The US Sun in an exclusive conversation.
Gilgan explained that around this time of year, in the midst of fall and into winter, many Americans start using more warm water to wash their laundry.
“It’s completely understandable why people make this connection,” he told us.
“When it’s cold outside, we associate warmth with comfort and effectiveness. But your washing machine doesn’t need to go by the weather forecast.”
Energy Bills: By the Numbers
- 64% of Americans whose household pays a monthly electric and gas utility bill say those bills have increased compared to a year ago.
- 63% of billpayers indicate that their electric and gas utility bills are adding to their financial stress.
- 48% of all Americans say that rising electric and gas utility bills for consumers like them is a bad sign for the economy.
- 60% of Americans say they are not familiar with the state or local regulatory body that determines their utility bills. In a separate open-ended question, around 9 in 10 respondents could not correctly name their specific regulatory body.
Source: PowerLines
Along with a subconscious inclination toward warmth and comfort, the expert also noted that older generations may have passed down outdated notions based on washing machine and detergent performance decades ago.
Way back when, older detergents and washing machines would typically demand higher water temperatures to work properly.
Today, washing machines are able to complete virtually any load with cold water, and detergents have enzymes that specifically activate when the water is cooler.
COSTLY DECISION
Either way, using hot water could increase washing machine energy consumption by about 90%, according to Gilgan.
“When you select hot water, you’re essentially asking your water heater to work at maximum capacity for 30 to 45 minutes per load,” he noted.
This could be adding at least $200 to energy bills annually.
A recommended temperature for most efficient washes is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, per Lucent Globe.
Americans should remain aware of other energy “vampires” in their homes this fall that they can switch off to save around $300.
There are also at least four states offering free money up to $2,400 to help with utility bill costs.
