We're building a new home and there were some "green" choices we just couldn't afford. We looked at washing machines last week and the front loaders are quite a bit more expensive than the standard top loaders. But they use 50% less water and with the high spin rate the clothes come out drier. So there's less time and energy used in the dryer in addition to lower water use and less propane to heat that water. In the scheme of house building the cost difference was not much. Tom

Electrolux sells a front-loader pair under their Frigidaire brand and as a Kenmore set that goes for well under $1,000. You don't get the heater in the washer or the fancy electronic displays and such, but they work well, they're reliable, and they do save water and detergent and spin pretty much as well as their more expensive brethren/sistren. Worth considering for anyone who is in the market for a new washer who can stretch the budget a bit.

Congratulations, Kevin, on the energy savings. Sometimes we have to look back over time to see just how much we've changed. :-)

twin tubs save water and power too easy hey, can't be beaten on price either.

you need to design and build an afficient house retro fitting so called efficiencies into the old design won't give the best long term results. need to think outside the square on this one.

len

Here is a link that might be useful: len's garden page

We got a new, somewhat more efficient washer (top loader) and dryer in January, but it didn't seem to help the electric bill much. In May we changed most of our light bulbs to compact fluorescents, and started unplugging most "wall warts" when items weren't in use. It has made a significant difference in our kWh usage, down at least 20%. May and June electric bills had the two lowest kWh/day in 3 years. I still want to consider a few solar panels on the garage. If our usage is low enough, even a small solar system could make a big difference.
Ruth

Hanging our laundry outside most of the year & in the basement during bad weather saves a tremendous amount of energy. I'm amazed at how few people in this working class neighborhood hang their laundry outside.

I agree. I rarely use my dryer.

The city council in the small town my parents live in banned outdoor clothes lines. When I heard that I went nuts!

Kevin

I have never owned a dryer except for a few years when my son was in high school. I think that people who hang their clothes outside to dry should get tax breaks! It sure would encourage a whole lot more people to do the same. And the dryer is a HUGE energy hog!