Does anyone here still hang their clothes on the line to dry? I don't usually do so, but after my last electric bill, I went to the dollar store and bought clothes pins to hang my clothes out on the line. My bill was over $400!!! I was livid. We keep our thermostat about 76 to 78, try to make sure we shut the lights off when we're not in the room, tv's as well. I just don't know how else to conserve. It was definently different to hang clothes on the line, when you're used to throwing them in the dryer. My dh wants to buy a new washer/dryer (ours is only 5 years old). I just can't justify the cost of the high effeciency model. They say the washer only uses 16 gal. of water, the one I have now uses 52!! And the dryer will use significantly less electricity. My dryer, being only 5 yrs. old, it just doesn't seem to dry the clothes in one cycle. I have to turn it back on more than once. Even on a small load. My dh is a stickler about making sure the lint screen is clean and the hose isn't kinked, stuff like that. Anyway, any ideas on conserving energy?? If not, any ideas on how to keep the clothes from being so stiff coming off the line? I use fabric softner, and it didn't help so much. I gave in the other day, and dried my towels in the dryer......ahhhhhh they were so soft and fluffy.
We actually don't even have a drier at the moment; haven't since we moved. Don't ask about socks. Yep, towels are scratchy when you hang them on the line... but actually they dry much better that way. LOL You can always dry them on the line and then toss them on the drier just on "fluff". In fact, you could do that for all of your clothes if you wanted - it would still save plenty of energy (especially if you've been running the drier twice for every load). We use fabric softener in the washer. Also, if you pull them down quickly after they dry and shake them out as you hang them up, they aren't as stiff. I find that it on a hot day my clothes actually dry almost as fast as I can wash a new load. I wait until I'm done hanging stuff out before I start a new load, and when that load is done washing I take the old stuff down. Just about everything is dry; jeans aren't, and sometimes when I overlap items they aren't dry where they overlap or where the clothes pins were, but they are usually close enough that they are fine if I hang them up immediately. And, I'll say, with all you said about your washer and drier - you will be SURPRISED how quickly your energy costs will make up for the cost of the new set. I was floored at ours when we bought the new washer. Really. It's worth it. And it's worth it to hang your laundry on the line as often as you can, too. But not socks! UGH!
We hang our clothes sometimes. Sounds like the heating element is going out on your dryer. I worked for the electric company for a few years and unfortunately your a/c is probably the problem, has it been recharged lately if not it might be time to do so. It might be working extra hard trying to keep the cool temp. Also clean out your dryer duct, my parents had a huge problem with a bird continually nesting in the vent and it would clog it up and wouldn't dry. Since it is warmer out you can try turning the temp down on your hot water tank if it is electric that might also do it. Remember if the sun is up the lights can be out, also I know it is hot out there but if you could bump it up a few more degrees it will lower your bill a bit. If you have an electric stove/oven remember don't leave it on unless using it because they eat up alot of electricity. Also the fridge if you can keep the little ones out then most likely it will stay colder and not kick on as much.
I do not hang our clothes to dry, unless it is in the garage. There is a mixed debate as to whether we are allowed to hang or not. Even the city can't get it straight. LOL It is too bad because we sure have the weather this time of year for hanging.
I hang my clothes out, except the whites (sometimes), I like soft socks. We unplug whatever we are not using. Try to grill instead of turning on the oven. Bought new energy efficient washer/dryer. Try not to turn on and off lights constantly. Try not to take multiple trips into the fridge/freezer. Take short showers. We use energy efficient light bulbs. With all of this said our electric bill is usually around $90- $120 per month. When we are out of town it is around $40 per month. We don't have ac. We would only use it about two weeks a year where we live.
Thanks for the advice girls. We priced a new high effeciency washer/dryer set, plus a dishwasher (because mine is shot). For all three pieces, it would be $2700, that's with all the taxes and stuff. I don't know if I can justify that price. I think it would be a good investment, especially in the long run. What I would save in utilities, would make the monthly payment I would think. I'm just not 100% sure. We're going to install a programmable thermostat, hoping that helps as well.
Also look into the scratch and dent models. They may not look as pretty but you can save hundreds. I suggest you get a programmable thermostat that has a pass code, that way little fingers will not turn it colder. Unfortunately Texas is hot and if you have your A/C set at 78 degrees and it is 100 outside it is working awful hard. If you can plant a tree near by that can shade your ac unit. There is also tint you can apply to your windows in order to block some of the suns heat. GL and hope it gets you a lower bill.
