3 Ways a New ENERGY STAR Certified Washing Machine can Save You Money
Did you know that the average family washes about 300 loads of laundry a year?
That averages 5-6 loads per week, and I found that’s pretty accurate for our family. And for us, that’s with wearing some things more than once (like pajamas) and using the same towel multiple times. Nonetheless, there’s always a load of laundry to do (right, moms!?!), so it’s definitely a major user of energy and water in the home!
A few years ago we upgraded to a high efficiency washing machine which uses less water. And when 70 – 90% of the energy used by a washing machine is for heating the water, that of course easily adds up over time. And our clothes are as clean as we can hope for, plus they’re drier when done because a high efficiency washing machine actually wrings out more of the water.
If you need a new washing machine, or have one that’s over 10 years old, I highly recommend looking into getting an Energy Star Certified Washing Machine. It will save you money over time, and here’s how:
- It will use less energy. An ENERGY STAR certified washing machine uses about 25% less energy than a regular washing machine.
- It will use less water. It uses 14 gallons of water per load, compared to 20 gallons used by a standard machine. That’s 33% less, or 2,000 gallons of water per year!
- Your may be able to get a rebate from your energy provider! For example, Minnesota Energy Resources customers can get a $45 rebate for purchasing and installing an ENERGY STAR certified washing machine. Just go to cashrebatesnow.com for information.
Actually, you can save money and energy with any ENERGY STAR certified appliance, including dishwashers and water heaters. And you can get a rebate for those too! Just go to cashrebatesnow.com if you are a Minnesota Energy Resources customer.
More Tips for Saving Money in the Laundry Room!
- Wash loads with cold water whenever possible. You can use cold water to wash clothes and delicates, and there are detergents made for cold water to make sure your laundry gets clean.
- Wash full loads! Though some models don’t require the tub to fill with water, it will still save money to do fewer full loads than more smaller ones.
- Keep the dryer lint filter clean! This will keep it running efficiently and safely.
- Air dry your laundry. This isn’t always practical, especially in Minnesota winters, but in the summer sun it’s a great way to skip a dryer load completely.
- Use lower heat settings in your dryer. This saves energy and helps protect your clothes from being shrunk, too!
What other tips for saving money in the laundry room can you think of?
(Disclosure: This post is part of a series sponsored by Minnesota Energy Resources. All opinions are 100% mine.)
