How to Save Money Drying Clothes

The cost of energy just seems to keep going up--and there’s nothing most of us can do about it. However, we can all cut back on our personal energy costs (as well as minimize how much energy we consume) by taking control over how we actually use energy. Here are some tips on how you can save yourself some money and conserve energy at the same time--when drying your clothes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Planning
• Clothes Drying Rack or Clothes Line
• Spin Dryer
• Vacuum Cleaner
• A little perseverance

1. Plan ahead before doing your laundry. Many utilities charge a premium for power consumed during peak demand times. By planning ahead and doing your laundry in off-peak times, you can save yourself a substantial chunk of money.
2. In the winter, take advantage of the heat your dryer generates. Leave the door to your laundry room open so the dryer warmth can help warm other nearby rooms. Conversely if you’re using your dryer in the summer, be sure to close the door so the heats doesn’t get into the rest of the house.
3. Clean your lint filter after every load, not just once a week or so. A buildup of lint on the filter means your dryer needs to work longer and harder to dry your clothes.
4. Remove and clean out your dryer vent pipe using your vacuum a couple of times a year. Lint can build up in the vent pipe and block the flow of air, once again forcing your dryer to work harder and use more energy.
5. Use the high-speed spin cycle on your washing machine. This will get a lot of water and detergent out of your clothes and make them easier to dry. Alternatively, buy and use an inexpensive spin dryer. (This is a small machine that duplicates the high-speed cycle of your washer, but just a couple of minutes in a spin dryer will shorten your clothes drying times and power consumption substantially.)
6. Remember that old-fashioned ways still work. A clothes drying rack that folds up out of the way when not in use will pay for itself in no time (and in winter it will put some humidity into the air in your house, making your home more comfortable and less costly to heat).
7. Install a clothesline if you have the room. A half day's work and $50 worth of materials will put money back in your pocket in no time.
8. When it comes time to replace your washer and dryer, consider modern technology. Front loading washing machines use less water and leave less water in your clothes, making them easier to dry. A dryer with a built in moisture sensor will mean you don’t needlessly burn energy heating and spinning clothes until the timer runs out.
9. Consider a gas dryer (particularly if you already have gas into your home). Depending on utility rates in your area, a gas dryer can save up to $.10 a load. Not a big amount of money, but over time, particularly if you do a lot of loads, it can add up.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a clothesline even in the coldest climates; they aren’t just for summer use (although it’s a lot more pleasant to hang out your clothes on a warm summer day).
• Cleaning out your dryer vent is important not just to save money, but for getting rid of any lint buildup; you’re also removing a potential fire hazard.
• If you are considering putting up a clothesline, check with your city’s planning department and your local community association. Some areas have rules regarding where and if clotheslines can be put up.