Hanging clothes to dry on the line seemed like an antiquated chore back in the 60s. It is now becoming in vogue, however, as the environmentally-minded look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Clothes dryers, not that long ago considered a necessity for anyone responsible for their own laundry, may be losing popularity as we seek ways to use less energy and be more self-sufficient.The clothesline is making a comeback.
What’s the Cost – Although it’s difficult to assess the true global costs, getting a handle on actual energy costs to consumers is pretty simple. Clothes dryers are the second largest energy consumer of all household appliances, second only to refrigerators. Depending on where you live and what kind of dryer you have, drying a load of laundry will cost you anywhere from 15 to 40 cents per load. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, electric dryers account for 5.8 percent of all residential electricity consumption. That number doesn’t even consider gas dryers, which use non-renewable resources.
Legal Woes – Much of our country’s population is centered in suburban areas where local municipalities and individual home owners’ associations have ordinances and CCRs that prohibit the use of clotheslines for aesthetic reasons. These regulations are, of course, contradictory to our energy goals, and thus many have been challenged in court. At least nine states already have legislation in place or are considering such legislation to strike down any local or home owners’ association regulations that prohibit or limit the use of any renewable energy device. A clothesline is one such device.
Clothesline Choices – If you’re considering installing a clothesline, keep in mind that there are options other than the iconic T-post variety that transcends the entire width of your yard. There are retractable types that are virtually invisible when not in use, the rotary umbrella-style that is especially good for small spaces, and the rack types that are also good for small spaces and can be folded and hidden when not in use.
Clothes Drying Tips – If you’re concerned about your energy consumption but constructing a clothesline in your backyard is not likely to happen any time soon, you can still save energy by following these easy clothes drying tips.
- Locate your dryer in a heated area to take advantage of the warmer air temperature that already exists.
- Dry only full loads, but be careful not to overload the machine.
- Clean your lint filter after each load.
- Make sure your dryer is properly vented.
- Use the auto-dry cycle rather than timed-dry.
- Dry multiple loads one after the other to take advantage of the retained heat from the previous load.
- Remove clothes and hang them up when still a little damp. This will help reduce wrinkles and requires less drying time.
Sources:
“Clothes Dryers,” California Energy Commission
“A clothesline comeback – Resurgence of a ‘renewable energy device’,” Solar-dryer.com
