Energy wasters

[irishwashguy]

I love doing boil washes and speaking my mind.

I have never had a machine that could do this, let alone a window to watch the action once it is going.I even boiled one of my favorate socks once in a load of sheets by accident, it did not even shrink, I was impressed.I would never be w/o it. As for all of the other things that I had read here that seem a little meanspirited, my advice for you Hoovermatic, is get some help.I would have to agree with Nick and mirrior what he said.This is not the place to be so nasty and mean. I am apauled that someone would choose to do this here. Lighen up!!Look in the mirrior, if you do not like what you see, change the reflection. Regards, Ritchie

 

[hoovermatic]

Thanks for your generous advice but I will leave it to be taken up by the needy.

 

[carlstock]

Summarise

Shall I summarise, then?

1. Boil washes can be effective. Boil washes may be particularly advantageous for those with green energy or with small-scale household forms of renewal able energy – such as small wind turbines and/or solar panels on the roof. Those using ecological detergent may have to resort to higher temperatures in order to compensate for any reduction in cleaning effectiveness from using ecological detergents.

2. Low-temperature washes with a heavy duty power-based detergent can be very effective.

3. Different fabrics can be washed at different temperatures and different levels of agitation, along with different cycle times. Even rinsing can change the wash result. This can all mean differing results.

4. Different machines – from type to make – can change the wash result.

5. Different water conditions can affect the wash result. Conditions can vary by neighbourhood.

6. Manners cost nothing.

7. Life is precious – enjoy it. Stop moaning so much.

 

[MrX]

It's a huge problem - global energy wastage.

Doing appropriate boilwashes, isn't THAT wasteful of energy if it's done in an efficient machine that uses low water volumes.
It's not a whole lot worse than boiling a couple of kettles of water.

However, I do think that it's very important that we make sure that our machines are as energy efficient as possible.

If 30C washes do a good job, there's really no reason to do hotter washes unless you need them for a specific reason.

I rarely wash above 40C other than for bed linen once in a while at 95C to wipe out any dust mites.

Also, I use the highest spin speed possible to reduce drying times and try to line-dry as much as possible

It's posible to part-dry the clothes on the line, then throw them into the dryer for 20 mins with some bounce and they come out great.

There are loads of ways of saving energy when you're doing laundry.

However, I do think that the majority of energy wastage is not caused by washine machines / tumble dryers. It's mostly grossly inefficient buildings i.e. space heating / cooling.

I've made a few changes:
Upgraded the insulation.
Installed solar water heating (works great)
Upgraded to a good miele washer and dryer
Got the most efficient cooking appliances I could get (Induction hob [de deitrich])
Installed room thermostats in every room.

OK, it did cost quite a bit to do, but we did much of it as part of a remodel and got government grants for the solar panels.

Anyway, this year we've saved >€600 in energy bills!!!!

I get much better appliances, a more comfortable house, free hot water (most days) and have saved a fortune!

Also, we switched the power supply over to a green energy supply. i.e. all of our power is sourced from wind power. Every KWh we use, goes back into the grid as a KWh of Wind energy.

The price difference was negligable but I feel a lot better about it.

 

[carlstock]

I agree with you there, mrx.

Energy efficiency is very important, as taking a look at the environment worldwide and locally.

 

[dascot]

"I tire of this constant stifling of a global problem (energy consumption and pollution) and will confine my comments to people who have something adult and constructive to say, which, I hasten to add is 99% of the people on this forum. It is only the likes of you who bring the level of debate down. Put the toys back in your pram and move along........."

While I agree with this, there are a lot more things that could have an effect than changing the occasional wash cycle to a lower temperature. I find regularly soiled clothing doesn't come clean at lower than 40C, and I like to wash towels, dishcloths etc at 60 or occasionally 90C. There's some things you simply can't lower the temperature on - some people will take the advice literally and wash kids nappies at a lower temperature, that will lead to a whole host of problems.

Washing at a lower temperature may work with biological detergents, but not everyone can use them. I can't.

What about recycling, excess usage of energy from manufacturing cheaper goods that are replaced more often, stupid policies from the government (in this country and others), etc.

 

[carlstock]

Excellent points there, dascot.

The fact is that there is more to helping the environment than simply saving energy. The points you raised regarding good quality appliances that last a long time being more environmentally friendly is a very good one.

I cannot use biological products, so we have to wash at higher temperatures. We really do use the lowest possible temperature in each wash, as well as using the best programme. Also, our Miele is A+ rated for energy and A for wash performance. We also use Ecotricity as our electricity supplier, who actively build new wind turbines.

 

[MrX]

There are plenty of things you can do to save energy though without reducing (and sometimes even increasing) your quality of life..

I think energy efficient appliances really ought to be tax incentivised though. i.e. you get a sales tax (VAT) reduction for A rated appliances.

 

[irishwashguy]

hoovermatic

If the shoe fits.............

 

[irishwashguy]

As far as saving energy---

It is sometimes big things, most of the time it is little things.In my part of the world, it is alot more simple. We have bittle dep. on cans and bottles, a small incentive to recycle.Curbside recycling, we just put in out on thur, and wamo, my part in saving energy. In my city, they recycle 59 percent of everything that is used, only LA is better, maybe San Diego. The little things add up .

 

[sudsmaster]

Gizmo,

Thanks for your description on what you do to conserve energy in your home. It was an eye opener.

You say your home uses 1.5 kWH or less per day. That is amazing to me. My home typically uses about 15 kWH/day, and that in itself is a reduction of 50% from what it used when I first bought it. The baseline electric rate for may area is about 10 kWH/day. That's an indication of what is typical use here. My usage rate is a bit higher due in large part to having two fridges, a chest freezer, and a fish pond pump that must run 7x24. Almost all my lighting is CFL, and I also shut off power to "phantom load" devices when they are not in use.

Anyway, congrats for using about 10% or less of the electric power as a typical American home...