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KITCHEN APPLIANCES - Clothes Washer, page two
"I have an old washing machine that works just fine. I hate to dump it into a landfill just to buy a new one and save some energy."
Several things to note with this concern:
First, you do not have to throw away any appliance. There are many ways to have your old appliance recycled. Even appliance that are broke can have the parts re-used.
Second, depending on how old your appliance is, you are not going to save just a few dollars and some energy. You are going to save a great deal especially if your washer is from the old family of Top Load washers.
When you buy the most efficient model with a Front Load design you will have a minimum savings of 35% in energy and use a minimum of 65% less water!
"I am in an apartment and go to the Laundromat. All I have room for is a small portable washing machine, but I was told they use a large amount of energy. Will buying one save me money?"
This depends on how many loads of wash you have to do and if you can hang your clothes to dry or if you also need to buy a portable dryer. Below is the information you need to evaluate for your answer:
- Portable Washing machines are not as energy efficient as the full size Front Load models. Having the inefficient top load design doesn't help.
- Running multiple washing loads will cause the cost to add up more and more with each of the following that is true for your washing situation...
A.) You have laundry from several children or adults.
B.) You have to do two or three loads to equal one load at the Laundromat due to the smaller size of the portable washing machine.
C.) You pay your own hot water heating costs in addition to the rent.
D.) You have no way of drying your washed clothes with an outdoor or indoor clothes line or rack and have to use an electric dryer.
E.) You pay your own electric bill in addition to the rent.
F.) You pay a Kilowatt rate equal to or higher than our nation's average.
If you answered YES to all of the above or YES to 5 out of the 6 which include B, D, E, and F as a YES, then it will be cheaper or around the same cost to continue using the laundromat. Now there are additional variables to calculating your answer and you should consider these as well:
- Your time
- How you travel to and from the Laundromat - (walk, drive, bus)
- How much do you pay per load at the Laundromat
- The cost to buy a portable washer and dryerIn the end, the final calculation and decision is up to you.
Portable washing machine, connects to your kitchen sink.
NEXT PAGES ARE: Shopping for a Washing Machine Information | Safety Information
