BASEMENT

WATER HEATER

• Set your water heater thermostat at or below 120° F to avoid risk of scalding.



• Make sure that your water heater is energy efficient and in proper working order.

WASHER

• Avoid using large quantities of water during peak times. Plan ahead so that clothes and dishes are washed in the late evening.
  
  
• Wash most clothes in warm or cold water; rinse in cold. Switching the washer temperature setting from hot to warm could reduce a load's energy usage in half.
  
  
• Fill washers (unless they have a small-load attachment or variable water levels), but do not overload them. In general, washing one large load is more efficient than washing two small loads. If you don’t have a full load but need to get clothes clean, adjust the setting to a lower water level if possible.
  
  
• Don't use too much detergent. Follow the instructions on the box. Over-“sudsing” makes your machine work harder and use more energy.
  
  
• Presoak or use a soak cycle when washing heavily soiled garments. You'll avoid two washings and save energy.

DRYER

• Locate the dryer in a heated space. Putting it in a cold or damp basement will make the dryer work harder and less efficiently.
  
  
• Make sure your dryer is vented properly. If you vent the exhaust outside, use the straightest and shortest metal duct available. Do not use flexible vinyl duct because it restricts the air flow, can be crushed, and may not withstand high temperatures from the dryer.
  

• Check the outside dryer exhaust vent periodically. If it doesn't close tightly, replace it with one that does to keep the outside air from leaking in. This will reduce heating and cooling bills.
  
  
• Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation. Regularly clean the lint from vent hoods.
  
  
• Use the cool-down cycle (perma-press cycle) to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.