Save with a Clothes Drying Rack
This is my clothes drying rack. I am saving MONEY and ENERGY by not using a dryer to dry my clothes. Dryers are very energy intensive and switching to hang drying clothes can save you some money on that energy bill every month. Home appliances usually account for an average of 17% of your energy bill with refrigerators, washers, and dryers being on top of the list.
The formula to estimate your energy consumption is (according to the US Dept. of Energy):
Wattage × Hours Used Per Day ÷ 1000 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption
1 kilowatt (kW) = 1,000 Watts
So, a clothes dryer may use anywhere from 1800 watts – 5000 watts depending on what you have in your home.
Say you run your dryer three hours per week
1800 watts x 3 hours x 52 weeks (three hours per week)÷ 1000 = 280.8 KwH for the year
now you take that value x the rate at which your utility provider charges you. In this example we will use the what I get charged 9.99 cents per KwH with Portland General Electric.
280.8 KwH x $0.099 = $27.79 per year
but if you have a high powered dryer using 5000W and say you have a larger dryer because you have a large family and needed a bigger one. This means you'll be running the dryer 6 hours per week.
5000 watts x 6hours x 52 weeks ÷ 1000 = 1560 KwH for the year
1560 KwH x $0.099 = $154.44 per year
So as you can see, these are savings that could go towards your grocery bill, cell phone bill, or can be donated to your favorite organization. The point is, once you start drying on a cloths drying rack...you'll feel good about being green and saving green. Give it a try.
Thoughts, Comments, Questions...
7 COMMENTS, ADD YOURS HERE:
Here is the link to the laundry drying rack that I recently purchased.
http://www.bestdryingrack.com
I am loving it. It is saving me money and according to the web site it is made in America.
Where did you buy your clothes drying rack (in the photo)? It's exactly what I've been looking for (to replace a similar one that gave out after many years of use.) I've seen a stainless steel version, but prefer the plastic/powder coating. Thanks!
Wonderful advice! Now take it one step further - http://www.earthmombooks.com/SimpleLiving.aspx
WonderWash and Spin Dryer plus the drying racks - very little energy usage, tiny amounts of soap, very little time involved!
earthmom22 (on twitter)
That's a very nice drying rack. Good choice!!
I have been using ceiling drying rack from AirDry for several months and I absolutely love. It's so easy to use and the part is that it doesn't use any floor space, so I was able to install it in my apartment. It has six rods that you can lower, hang your clothes and raise them up. It's the best drying rack I ever owned and I use it every day. It costs $39.95 at http://www.airdry.org
Great article you mathlete, you!
Webmaster, I love your site. Thank you sooo much for working on it.
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