Tips to Lower the Electric Bill With the Washing Machine

Read the Manual

• Whether your machine is brand new, or you’ve had it for several years, take time to read the user’s manual and get to know your machine. Each machine is different, and the user’s manual might contain hints and tips for lowering your electric costs, such as outlining how to use the specific settings or describing how special settings work. For example, some machines have a quick wash setting that is adequate for handling laundry that is not overly soiled. The quick wash setting could take up to 45 minutes less to wash, rinse and spin, significantly reducing your energy usage.

Water Temperature

• If you set your washing machine to use warm or hot water for every wash, you could be increasing your electricity bill by $150 or more each year. In fact, almost 90 percent of the energy cost of running a washing machine comes from heating the water. Use cold water instead, and you can lower your bill by a few dollars each month. Even setting the machine to wash with warm or hot water and rinse with cold can trim the overall bill. When you wash with cold water, though, use a detergent designed for cold water washing. Regular detergents are usually formulated to clean best at water temperatures of 50 degrees or more, while cold water detergents are efficient at lower temps.

Capacity

• Using your machine to its capacity can help reduce your electricity usage by reducing the number of loads you need to wash. When you shop for a machine, choose one that has an adequate capacity for your family and laundry needs; a large family with several children, for example, should consider a machine that can wash extra large loads of wash. Fewer loads equates to less electricity usage. If your machine can adjust for load size, use those settings. Avoid running the machine to wash just a few items; if you have to wash a smaller load, set the machine to the appropriate setting to limit water and electricity usage.

Detergent

• If you have a high-efficiency washing machine, using regular detergent in the machine could not only damage the machine, but increase your electricity usage as well. Regular detergent creates more suds than high-efficiency detergent, and the machine may not be able to rinse all of the suds off in one cycle. Depending on your machine, you may need to run an extra rinse cycle to remove all of the soap. Advanced machines include sensors that determine whether the clothing is completely rinsed, and run extra rinse and spin cycles until the clothing is clean. In either case, using the wrong soap can increase your electricity usage – and defeats the purpose of an energy-efficient machine.