Efficiency, Energy and Laundry (Part II)

(Part II of a series begun April 24)

Since the average American family does about 400 loads of laundry a year, today’s conversation is about getting good laundry results while reducing energy use and money spent.

Clothes Washing Review

• If you need a new washer, it’s a great time to take advantage of incentives for ENERGY STAR® qualified models.
  • Idaho Power’s Home Products Program ($50)
  • State of Idaho’s Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program ($75)
• Wash in cold or warm water when possible and ALWAYS choose the cold water rinse.
• Wash full loads and use the right kind and amount of detergent.
  • Too much leaves soap deposits and lint inside the washing machine, contributing to mold and odors and can also plug ports and filters, contributing to machine failure.
  • TIP: Mark cap on the outside and inside with a permanent marker. Most “medium” loads use about half of what the “natural” cap line would require.
  • If you need HE (high efficiency) detergent, use it. Excess suds can lead to prolonged rinse cycles.

Clothes Drying¹ & Energy

We live in an ideal climate for drying clothes outdoors during a large portion of the year. So recommendation #1 is to take advantage of the free, renewable energy provided by the sun. There are many innovative new clothes lines and racks available via the internet and at local hardware stores. But if you can’t air-dry, save by following these tips:

• Run your clothes through an extra spin-cycle before placing in the dryer.
• Dry similar fabrics together.
• Dry multiple loads in quick succession to take advantage of residual heat.
• Use the automatic setting with the control set to the midpoint. Use “Less Dry” to leave clothing damp for ironing. The extended tumble will prevent wrinkles if you don’t hear the buzzer and remove the clothes immediately.
• Clean the lint filter after every load (also helps prevent fires).
• When choosing a dryer, insist on a moisture sensor. Over-drying can damage or shrink fabrics and moisture sensors minimize that possibility as well as the needless waste of energy.
  • May not be obvious on the label – check the literature and visit the manufacturer’s Web site or refer to Consumer Reports.

More Information

Tips tab at www.idahopower.com/energyefficiency.

1 There’s no such thing as an ENERGY STAR® qualified dryer because most dryers use similar amounts of energy.