Energy Star is a programme run by the US Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Energy that promotes energy efficiency.
According to their research, a standard washing machine uses around 20 gallons of water for each load, while electric dryers, on average, can use anywhere from 1,800 to 5,000 watts of energy, or about 1.8 to 5 kilowatt hours of electricity per cycle.
They added that water heating consumes about 90 per cent of the energy it takes to operate a washing machine.
But, by changing your washer’s temperature setting from hot to warm, or even better cold, you can cut energy use in half.
Cold water washing setting
Experts state that washing with a cold cycle can save you more than 80 per cent of your energy consumption and cost.
Hot-water cycles use a lot of energy because most of the energy is used simply to heat the water up.
Therefore, colder water cycles are advised to be used as much as possible.
“The temperature that we’re washing with is often way too warm,” says Cosette Joyner Martinez, an associate professor in the department of design, housing, and merchandising at Oklahoma State University.
Many believe that using hot water helps sanitise clothes but that is not the case.
Alongside this, most laundry detergents are typically formulated to clean just as well at lower temperatures.
“Our Persil liquids, powders, and capsules all remove stains first time in a quick or cold wash at 30 degrees – allowing you to save up to 60 per cent energy with every cycle,” states Persil.
Tips for drying
Avoiding the dryer is another way you can be energy efficient, making a “huge difference”, adds Joyner Martinez.
“The life extension that we get in the product is very dramatic.”
Other tips if using a dryer include regularly cleaning the lint screen, moisture sensors, and dryer duct to ensure efficiency and less energy wasted.
