Clothes washers use both hot water and electrical power to get their job done so they are big time energy hogs. I know a little about them because I actually ran a few dozen loads of clothes through a washer, before my wife took my washing machine privileges away,
The main problem was sorting clothes. I do not sort and my wife is a compulsive clothes sorter. I have been well trained as a husband and say, “I am wrong, you are right and I am sorry.” Then I go on with my life, without touching her machines.
Apparently, energy can be saved by sorting into the proper piles. The minimum water temperature required for each pile of clothes can be set on the machine and save at the water heater.
Keep you pipes short
If you cannot locate the washing machine right next to the hot water heater you should up root the water heater and move it right next to the washing machine.
Ya right you say. Yes, the ideal would be to have as short a length of pipe as possible between the water heater and the wash machine. Too bad someone didn’t think of that when they designed the house.
You can save energy by insulating the hot water pipe between the heater and the washer. Go ahead and insulate the hot pipe
Don’t just cram it full and flood the drum like I do
Another excuse for sorting is to be able to set the water level where it should be for each pile of clothes. Small loads get a reduced water level and big loads get the whole shot of water. Using the right amount of water saves at the water meter and at the water heater.
I hear that overloading is bad too. Makes the motor strain and some items may need a redo if they do not pass inspection after the first go round. I like a good close inspection, but I hardly ever pass. Washing twice, because of overloading, wastes water, heat and detergent. Plus extra starts on the poor motor.
Keep your Balance
Any washer that consistently goes out of balance is wasting energy. Typically when the machine starts to walk across the floor it gets stopped by the laundry police.
The lump of cloths is then redistributed to make it balanced again and the machine restarted. Motors use extra power every time the get started. I think I said that before. Anything that interrupts the normal cycle of the machine wastes energy by causing extra motor starts.
This also wastes energy because the clothes will likely have to be spun again. Any excess water left in clothes will lead to wasting energy because the clothes will require extra time in the clothes dryer.
Level the machine by picking up the front and let’er drop onto the front feet. Well it is supposed to work. If picking the machine up and dropping it does not work the read the book that you lost the first week that you had the machine.
I am glad I have been banned from the laundry machines
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