Make laundry day more energy efficient

Laundry is a never-ending cycle, especially if you’ve got little ones at home who specialize in getting dirty. With household appliances accounting for 13.6% of energy used in the average Canadian household, small steps can create a big difference when it comes to reducing energy use and utility costs. You can make your loads more efficient and soak up the savings with these tips:

Choose energy-efficient machines

When it comes to clothes washers and dryers, choosing energy-efficient machines is a great first step in making laundry day more eco-friendly. All you have to look for is the little blue star. Investing in an ENERGY STAR^® certified clothes washer means that your machine will use, on average, 25% less energy and 33% less water than standard models. You can save even more when you pair it with an ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryer, which uses on average 20% less energy when compared to standard models.

Pro Tip: Look at the EnerGuide label when you’re in the market for a new washer or dryer. This label will tell you the model’s energy consumption and how it compares to similar models. Remember: the lower the annual energy consumption rating, the lower your electricity bills.

Wash in cold water

If possible, wash your clothes in cold water and save the energy that would typically be used to heat the water. If you need to use hot water for a wash, change the water level to use the least amount of water possible and choose cold water for the rinse cycle.

Avoid overfilling

Always run full loads with both the washer and dryer but be aware of your machine’s limits. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to know the appropriate load size for your machine. If you try to cram too many clothes into one load, it could make your washing machine less efficient and your clothes won’t come out as clean. The same goes for your dryer, put too many clothes in and you may need to run them through more than one drying cycle and increase strain on the motor. By running appropriately sized, full loads in both your washer and your dryer, you can keep your machines running efficiently.  

Small changes and good habits

To get the most energy savings out of your washer:

• Choose the “high speed” or “extended spin” settings to get more water out of your clothes and make things easier for your dryer by reducing drying time.
• Pre-soak items that are extra dirty to avoid double washing.

When it comes to the dryer:

• Clean the lint trap after every load to increase air-flow.
• Sort items by thickness; group light, quick drying things together in one load and heavier items like towels in another.
• Skip the dryer altogether! Hang your clothes outside to dry and enjoy that crisp laundry smell. Alternatively, you can use a drying rack inside.

Learn more and connect with us

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