Cutting The Cost Of Doing Laundry

(NAPSA)—When it comes to energy use, it’s a good idea to be sure your washing machineisn’t taking you to the cleaners. According to the Departmentof Energy, Energy Star-rated laundry appliances save consumers an average of $550 on energy and water bills each year. Energy Star products are among the most energy efficient available and are rated to exceed the energy efficiency minimumsset by the federal government. Additionally, top-load washers made before 2004 use 42 gallons of water per load compared to only 14 gallons in a high-efficiency washer. That’s about 7,000 gallons of water over the life of the appliance. The Energy Star-rated Maytag Bravos is the highest-efficiency washerfoundin the traditional topload style. It saves consumers 70 percent in water and 67 percent in energy over conventional top-load washersthat aren’t energy efficient. Consumers looking for additional inexpensive ways to re- duce energy and water while washing clothes might consider the following: Wash full loads of laundry. Running a partial load uses the same amount of energy as a full load. High-efficiency washing machines could save you $550 in water and energy annually. * Use cold water whenpossible to reduce energy consumption by your water heater. * Don’t dry clothes excessively. Drying laundry excessively uses more energy and is hard on fabrics. Consider drying clothes partly in the dryer and then hanging them to dry the remainderof the way. Clean the lint filter after each load. Doing so keeps the dryer running efficiently. Also, periodically check the air vent and hose to prevent a fire hazard. For more information on Energy Star appliances, visit www.energystar. gov.