an Energy & Water Efficient Machine

With the average American family doing over 400 loads of laundry annually, improving energy and water efficiency in your laundry room can be a big cost-saver. ENERGY STAR labeled washers reduce electrical use by nearly 37% and water use by more than 50%. If your current machine is more than 10 years old, ENERGY STAR recommends upgrading to a more efficient model. Compare yellow EnergyGuide labels to determine annual usage and select a size that fits both your space and family size. Something too small will result in more loads of laundry and something too large will waste water and energy. The ENERGY STAR Buying Guidance is good resource for choosing the right machine.

Dryers do not have the ENERGY STAR or yellow Energy Guide label because there is no significant energy usage difference between different models or energy sources (gas or electric). To reduce your energy use, select a model with an automatic moisture sensor option. This will allow the dryer to stop when the clothes have finished drying. You can also save energy by drying multiple loads consecutively.  You don’t have to heat the dryer from a cold start for the second or third load being dried. Of course, the most energy efficient method of drying clothes is using the clothes line or a drying rack. Air dry whenever possible!  Learn more

Venting Dryers

Dryer vents should exhaust directly to the outdoors and be independent of any other ventilation system. Venting heated dryer exhaust into the home can cause air quality issues, moisture issues and even the toxic gas carbon monoxide. The vent should be equipped with a damper at the exterior side to prevent air infiltration. Insulate and seal around the vent where it penetrates the exterior wall to prevent air leakage. Your dryer vent pipe should be UL-rated material, typically a rigid metal pipe or foil. Use metal foil tape to seal around connections in the pipe; air leakage at these points reduces the efficiency of the vent. Avoid sharp bends or sags in the pipe as these points become places for lint and moisture to accumulate. Clean your vent regularly to remove lint build up and reduce potential fire hazards.