How much does using a clothesline really save???
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Of course, the biggest factor is how much your electricity costs.
We have low rates here, so for us, the savings aren't going to be as much as if we lived where rates are high.
Of course, if you use a gas dryer then that changes everything again. And if you dry your clothes at home vs. at a laundromat. And then again whether or not you factor in what the dryer cost in the first place for both the purchase and any maintenance costs.
Another factor is how many loads you dry every month. If you have ten kids and everyone is messy so you go through a ton of clothes, then it's going to be higher than if you're by yourself in a job where you don't need to change out of dirty clothes three times a day.
There should be data somewhere on your dryer saying how much power it takes to run it.
We have low rates here, so for us, the savings aren't going to be as much as if we lived where rates are high.
Of course, if you use a gas dryer then that changes everything again. And if you dry your clothes at home vs. at a laundromat. And then again whether or not you factor in what the dryer cost in the first place for both the purchase and any maintenance costs.
Another factor is how many loads you dry every month. If you have ten kids and everyone is messy so you go through a ton of clothes, then it's going to be higher than if you're by yourself in a job where you don't need to change out of dirty clothes three times a day.
There should be data somewhere on your dryer saying how much power it takes to run it.
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~Our rates are crazy high here(twice the averages posted in the link below) and we have an electric dryer so I save almost $1 every time I air dry a load. However I can't line dry because of my daughter's allergies.
I used to save $15-20 a month when I exclusively air dried clothes years ago.
Here's a chart for calculating usage of common appliances: Appliance energy usage chart
Check your power bill for your usage rates. Don't trust the line that says "Price to compare". That number doesn't include cost of delivery and surcharges that are usage based. Read your bill and add every line item that says "$_ per KWH". Then divide your total KWH used that month by the $_ per KWH you just figured out. That's your true cost per KWH.
An average dryer takes about 3-5 KWH per load. So if you pay $.10 per KWH you will save as little as $.30. If you pay nearly $.20 per KWH like I do, you will save as much as $1 per load.
You have to run your own numbers and try it to see if it's worth it to you.
I wish I had the option to air dry. I could save about $30 a month now.~
I used to save $15-20 a month when I exclusively air dried clothes years ago.
Here's a chart for calculating usage of common appliances: Appliance energy usage chart
Check your power bill for your usage rates. Don't trust the line that says "Price to compare". That number doesn't include cost of delivery and surcharges that are usage based. Read your bill and add every line item that says "$_ per KWH". Then divide your total KWH used that month by the $_ per KWH you just figured out. That's your true cost per KWH.
An average dryer takes about 3-5 KWH per load. So if you pay $.10 per KWH you will save as little as $.30. If you pay nearly $.20 per KWH like I do, you will save as much as $1 per load.
You have to run your own numbers and try it to see if it's worth it to you.
I wish I had the option to air dry. I could save about $30 a month now.~
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http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/dryers.html
There is a calculator on this page based on your local rates.
I think there is more to it than just the cost per load. For example, in the summer I always line dry because the dryer makes my second story apartment unbearable. If I were to run the AC to combat this, I'd be spending a fortune. There is also way more wear and tear on your clothing. There are more variables than just the cost of the dryer cycle itself. And don't forget the benefits to the environment!
There is a calculator on this page based on your local rates.
I think there is more to it than just the cost per load. For example, in the summer I always line dry because the dryer makes my second story apartment unbearable. If I were to run the AC to combat this, I'd be spending a fortune. There is also way more wear and tear on your clothing. There are more variables than just the cost of the dryer cycle itself. And don't forget the benefits to the environment!
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My power bill was 220 a month in the summer now 150-168 budget billing and usage stays in line. I also raised my ac to 78 versus 75, so that's about 52 a month.
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Nusiance, have you tried to dry the clothes indoors? I cannot have my clothes line dried outdoors because of my allergies but I can hang them in my house without a problem. Don't know if you would have the space for it. Shower curtain rods, free-standing clothes racks, etc.
I have been line drying in the house for months now and I don't see myself ever going back. So far I only use the dryer for socks/undies/towels/bedding. When the bf visits I'm going to see if he can rig up a line for me to use clothespins that I bought for the socks/undies/towels/bedding.
I have a free-standing clothes rack, and now I'm using the huge beam that goes across my basement ceiling. It works GREAT!!! Love it. I'm short, its a tiny stretch, but who doesn't need to stretch out once in awhile, eh?
At this point I don't care about the money, I care about the fact that I was using electricity unnecessarily and costing myself money unnecessarily even if its a small amount, why waste it? But then, I enjoy the task, that matters too. If you dread it, don't bother. Your quality of life is important too. I enjoy it and enjoy the money it saves. I don't know exactly how much it cost but my electric bill is now under $80 and I can't help but think that it contributes compared to the 5-7 loads of clothes I used to dry with it.
My mother has an all electric house. She had an energy audit by the power company and he couldn't figure out why her energy costs dropped in the summer. Her windows don't open so she's using a/c from the time she stops using the furnace. She figured out the only difference is she hangs laundry during the summer months. BTW she's 89 and her neighbor is 90 and they both hang their laundry during good weather.
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~Yes I've done it occasionally. I used to have space to set up a floor rack before baby #2 came along. We're in an 800 square foot rancher. No basement, no attic, no garage. Booo!
It was annoying with clothes drying everywhere when I did 3 loads a week. It'd be horrifying to try the 7 loads I do now. I'd live in a laundry jungle!~
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My Dh & kids both have allergies and when line drying seemed to make them worse, I was able to put them in the drier for a few minutes after taking them off the line to take the pollen out. Hope that helps
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Oh my yes that's not much room to work around clothing and children.
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I think the biggest factor is your washer. Yes, your washer!
I have a HE washer that spins the clothes at over 800 RPM's. When the clothes come out they are damp not wet. If I hang up my pillow cases under the ceiling fan they will actually be dry before the next load of clothing is finished washing.
BF has an old top loader and his clothes come out wet. So, when I am there I take all day to was 4 or 5 loads of cloths. When I am here I can wash that many before lunch.
As the clothes are only damp when they go in the dryer, they take almost no time to dry. Since the dryer only runs a little while, the costs are lower.
My old Kenmore dryer (not HE) always has the clothes dry before the next load is out of the washer, no matter if it is towels, jeans or even a comforter.
Before I bought my dryer (second hand of course) I airdryed my clothes on racks inside my apartment. There was less than $5 a month change on my bill when I got my dryer.
Of course, I wash no more than 5 loads every 2 weeks for myself.
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~Well that's an interesting idea. I guess the pollen goes into the lint trap? I'm going to try that!~My Dh & kids both have allergies and when line drying seemed to make them worse, I was able to put them in the drier for a few minutes after taking them off the line to take the pollen out. Hope that helps
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While we are on this subject does anyone know where I can get a clothesline pully? I've tried Target and Walmart and even the local Flea Market guys. I'm getting tired of walking up the incline in my backyard and slipping when I go to get my clothes off the dog line runs.
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Memorial weekend the state had a list of appliances that you could purchase and not pay sales tax on. Dryers (gas and electric) were NOT on the list because they said none of them are really energy efficient. Plus in the summer time the dryer heats up the house and makes the A/C run more; which is VERY expensive.
So I have a rolling clothes rack and two folding racks that I use for the majority of our stuff. I can set them up inside, on the back porch, or in the back yard in full sun.
So I have a rolling clothes rack and two folding racks that I use for the majority of our stuff. I can set them up inside, on the back porch, or in the back yard in full sun.
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My first thought would be hardware stores such as Ace, Home Depot, and Lowes.
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