Twin Cities Beehive Energy Tip of the Month

It's easy to cut your energy costs for laundry.  About 80-85% of the energy used for washing clothes is used to heat the water.  You can reduce this cost by using less water, by washing full loads, and by using cooler water and cold-water detergents.  Switching the temperature setting from hot to warm cuts a load's energy use in half!

You can reduce drying costs as well.  Clear the lint filter after every load to improve air circulation and don't over-dry clothes.  Use the cool-down cycle to allow clothes to finish drying.  Also, check your dryer vent every two or three months to make sure it's not blocked.

If you are in the market for a new washer, look for the ENERGY STAF and read the EnergyGuide labels. Consider buying a natural gas dryer because the cost per load is less than an electric dryer.