Your Laundry Is An Easy Place To Cut Back On Your Hot Water Bill

Many people don't like to do the laundry simply because of the time it takes, but it also uses a lot of resources, driving up your energy bills. With a few simple-to-implement strategies, you can reduce one of those costs — the hot water bill – without noticing a difference. Factors like how you wash your clothes and updates to your hot water system can reduce how much you're spending to heat water.

It's certainly worth doing. Doing the laundry is the second largest pull on water use in the average home, using about 31 gallons per load (though older models use as much as 40), according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Much of that water is heated, meaning you're not just using the washing machine but also the hot water tank, pulling in even more cost.

How can you lower your costs? One way is to invest in a new Energy Star washing machine, which according to the U.S. Department of Energy, can lower your energy costs by as much as 25% and use about 35% less water. If you really don't want to invest in a new washing machine at this point, though, there are several simple ways to adjust your existing laundry system to lower your hot water bill.

The way you wash your clothes can also play a role in how much it costs. Perhaps the most impactful change on your energy bill will be washing your clothes with cold water and skipping hot water usage. You can purchase laundry detergents designed for cold-water use, but most average products will work just fine without heat, as will modern washing machines.

When it comes to washing in cold, it will still pull out debris, stains, makeup, and dirt from the clothing, and some items, like your undergarments, may be less likely to break down in cold instead of hot. There's also less risk of fading and shrinking in cold than in hot water.

There are a few things to keep in mind, though. If you're washing synthetic fabrics, like the kids' jerseys or your workout gear, or knits, warm water tends to provide a better level of cleaning. Also, if someone in your home has been sick, it's best to use hot water to wash their clothing just to help kill the bacteria and prevent it from spreading. Finally, follow the recommendations on your clothing so you don't ruin something that needs to be washed in hotter water.

One of the ways to cut back on your hot water bill is by adjusting the hot water tank and overall system. For example, if you haven't done so yet, have a professional out to do some preventative maintenance on the tank itself. This should include flushing the sediment out and fixing any leaky lines. You may not realize that this is impacting your hot water production and consumption, making each load of laundry more expensive. If your tank is older and no longer efficient, consider an upgrade to one that uses less energy or even a tankless water heater.

Next, adjust the thermostat. In most homes, you can lower the thermostat on the hot water heater to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit and still get the proper level of cleaning any time you use hot water. Most systems are set to 140 degrees, but lowering it could produce as much as a $400 savings each year.

Next, insulate your hot water pipes, which carry water from the tank to the washing machine. By insulating them, you reduce the amount of heat loss in that process. You can purchase foam-like coverings that easily fit over the water lines, making it possible to prevent energy loss throughout the home.