It’s all about the “double L” if you want to save $70 or more on your annual energy bills by using little-known laundry room tricks.

It’s possible that Americans are blind to laundry room hacks that could save them over $70 annually.

It’s only natural to look for ways to reduce your energy consumption when doing laundry, since washing machines and dryers account for such a large portion of your monthly energy bill.

According to IGS Energy, the annual cost of doing laundry for the typical American family is around $115 in electricity costs.

There has never been a better time to reduce your energy consumption than now, as inflation has led to price increases in nearly every sector and Americans are spending more on groceries, clothing, and energy bills.

In this regard, upgrading to newer, more energy-efficient washing and drying machines is one of the simplest ways to cut costs, but if that’s not an option, there are still things you can do to lower your bill.

1. WASH WITH COLD WATER

It’s not widely known, but you can significantly reduce your water heating costs by switching to warm water for your laundry.

In most cases, you can reduce your load’s energy consumption by half, and if you use cold water, you’ll save even more money.

If a typical family spends $115 per year on laundry energy, they could save at least $55.

In most cases, using a detergent made for use in cold water will help you get clean clothes. These are the ones with the “he” logo, and they’re more efficient than most other brands.

2. WASH FULL LOADS

Regardless of the workload, the average energy consumption per machine run is constant.

As a result, making sure you’re operating at full capacity can end up saving you a lot of money.

In the long run, you’ll save money on energy costs if you reduce the number of cycles you run.

Sharing a cycle with a friend can help you save money on utilities if you don’t have a full load.

On the other hand, if you want your clothes to dry quickly, you shouldn’t stuff them into the machine.

3. AVOID THE DRYER 

Don’t use the dryer if you want to save money on your next electricity bill.

Using a drying rack to let your clothes air dry will save you money on your utility bills.

If you must dry your clothes in a machine, the most efficient way to do so is to switch loads while the dryer is still warm.

4. OPTIMIZE YOUR DRYER

If you decide that air drying is not for you, there are several steps you can take to make sure your regular dryer is operating at peak efficiency.

For one, consider using rubber dryer balls.

These aid in dividing your laundry so that each item receives more airflow and dries much faster.

It’s best to use a lower heat setting when you’re ready to run your load. The drying process may take longer, but less energy will be consumed overall.

If your dryer has a cool-down cycle, you can further reduce your energy bill by using it.

When the clothes are dry, the dryer will automatically turn off when you set it to the moisture sensor mode.

It’s preferable to dry towels and heavy items independently from delicates and light clothing.

In addition, between each cycle, you should clean the lint filter to keep your dryer running efficiently.

5. PREPARE YOUR CLOTHES IN THE WASHER

On the other hand, if you want your clothes to come out the cleanest, use the fastest spin speed or the longest spin time available on your washing machine.

This reduces drying time (and thus energy consumption) by removing as much moisture as possible before drying.

There’s also the benefit of decreased wear and tear on your clothes from the dryer’s high heat.

6. PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN YOU WASH

You can save a lot of money on your utility bills by scheduling your laundry for off-peak hours and enrolling in a time-of-day program with your utility provider.

As a general rule, energy costs less during non-peak hours.

Therefore, you can save money on laundry by enrolling in one of these plans and scheduling your loads for off-peak times, such as the middle of the night.

The non-peak hours tend to be from 10p.m. to 5a.m.

Furthermore, there are specific home appliances that will perpetually result in a reduced utility bill.

Washing machines and dryers that have earned the ENERGY STAR consume 25% less power than older models.

That could net you an annual savings of over $25, in addition to any money you recoup through the other methods.

Electric dryers are the most energy efficient, but gas and heat pump models are close behind.

The Department of Energy estimates that, despite higher up-front costs, long-term savings of up to 60% are possible.

One simple refrigerator switch can save you hundreds of dollars annually.

Homeowners who have recently installed clean energy systems may soon be eligible for tax credits of up to $1,000.