The appliances in your home provide a great deal of convenience and help you get more done, but they can also increase your energy usage and electricity costs significantly. Your washer and dryer are just two examples – how you use and care for these appliances can have a big impact on how much it costs to run them.

One of the simplest ways to save money with your washing machine is to simply adjust the water level. Many modern washing machines have a setting that allows the user to adjust the water level. Changing the water level with the size of the load means less water usage and lower energy costs as well.

Wash Full Loads

You can save a lot of money simply by washing clothes less often and not running the washing machine until you have a full load. Place a laundry hamper in a convenient location and ask your family members to put their dirty clothes there. Then wait until you have a full load ready to go before using the washing machine.

Waiting until you have a full load also means washing less often – and that can save you work as well as energy. If you must wash a small load, use as little hot water as possible. Washing your clothes on the coolest effective setting can significantly reduce your energy usage. Wash your laundry in either cold or warm water whenever possible. Even clothes that specify hot water can often be laundered in warm instead.

Rinsing your clothes in cold water can also save you energy and reduce your electricity costs. Your clothes will get just as clean when you rinse them in cold water – the rinse temperature does not impact the effectiveness of the cleaning.

Choose the Right Location

Something as simple as the location of the washing machine can have a big impact on its energy usage. Placing the washer as close to the water heater as possible means the water has less distance to travel, and that can reduce your energy usage a lot.

You can further reduce energy usage by properly insulating the pipes running between the water heater and the washer. Insulating the pipes allows them to retain more heat and reduce the amount of energy needed to wash your clothes.

Do Not Over-Dry

When choosing a dryer, look for one with a sensor that automatically turns the unit off when the clothes are dry. Over-drying your clothes can damage the fabric and waste energy in the process.

If you have the space, air drying your clothes can save you even more energy. Drying your clothes in the open air can give them a fresh feel and smell while reducing your energy costs and saving you money.

Clean the Vents

Keeping your dryer clean can also improve its efficiency and reduce the amount of energy it consumes. Be sure to check the vents on a regular basis and remove any blockages that could be causing the dryer to work harder and waste energy.

It is also important to check the lint trap on a regular basis, both for safety and energy efficiency reasons. Lint tends to build up in the dryer vents, and that buildup could cause a fire hazard. Keeping the vents and lint trap free of debris can reduce the risk and allow the appliance to run more efficiently.

Get in the habit of checking the vents and lint trap every time you do a load of laundry. Making that simple check part of your normal routine can make it seem like less of a chore while helping your dryer run as efficiently as possible.