Using washing machines and iron boxes has become part of our daily routine as these smart electronic appliances make our lives easy. However, the electricity bills could give you a shock if you are not careful while using these appliances. Check out these hacks that may help you save energy and money.
Washing machine
From manual and semi-automatic to fully automatic, many types of washing machines are available in the market. In manual and semi-automatic, there are separate drums for washing and drying. After the washing is done, the clothes have to be manually transferred to the other drum for drying. However, in automatic washing machines, both washing and drying are done in the same drum. There are toploading and frontloading automatic washing machines.
Compared to toploading machines, front-loading machines use less water and energy for washing. It must be noted that separate detergent powders or liquids are used in front and top-loading washing machines.
Meanwhile, machines that use hot water for washing are more energy-consuming. This type of washing machine is not necessary for the weather conditions in Kerala. It is better to operate the washing machine in its full capacity rather than using it for washing a few pieces of clothes. You could save water and energy if clothes are washed only once or twice a week instead of daily.
Clothes that aren’t too dirty or used could be washed on the quick cycle mode. The washing machine should be switched on only after loading it. Besides, after washing, do not forget to switch off and unplug the machine. Make sure that the washing machine is not used between 6.30 pm and 10 pm. Besides, drying the washed clothes under the sun could help you save energy worth Rs 1692.
Iron box
Most people prefer wearing perfectly ironed clothes to offices, schools and other places. While some people use the iron box to dry the wet clothes others switch on the iron box just to iron a single piece of clothing. All these habits contribute to energy wastage, causing you financial loss too.
Iron box is an electronic appliance that should be used carefully and wisely to save energy and money. Inefficient usage of iron box is one of the main reasons for energy wastage in our households. Automatic iron boxes would cut off automatically after it reaches the specific temperature. Besides, it will automatically regulate its temperature when we reduce the heat. Electric iron boxes with automatic temperature cut-off feature use less energy than regular iron boxes. An automatic iron box with a capacity of one kilowatt requires only 0.5 units of electricity.
You would be able to save energy if clothes that are required for a week, are ironed together rather than ironing daily. Clothes that do not require high temperatures for ironing could be ironed when the iron box is heating up or after it has cut off. Using an iron box to dry wet clothes results in energy wastage. Besides, the folds on the clothes would be ironed out nicely only if the iron box is used on a firm surface. You could spread one or two bedsheets on top of the ironing table to make ironing easier.
Make sure to switch off the ceiling fan while ironing clothes as the wind from the fan could affect the temperature of the iron box. Moreover, do not use iron boxes in the evening (6.30 pm – 10 pm) when the voltage is low.
