Laundry Room/Mechanical Closet

Hot water

Heating water for bathing and washing accounts for as much as 15-30 percent of your household energy use.

• The simplest way to reduce energy use in the laundry room, bathroom and kitchen – and minimize the risk of scalding – is to keep your water heater set to no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• When remodeling and planning the plumbing, try to minimize the distance hot water needs to travel from the heater to the bathroom.
• Research innovative water- and energy-saving technologies, such as a tankless (or on demand) water heater, a heat recovery system that captures heat that would be lost when hot water goes down the drain, or hot water circulating that recirculates cold water sitting in the hot water pipe and eliminates the need to run the tap until the water warms.
• You might also consider a solar water heater; some homeowners are getting up to 70 percent of their water heat from the sun – even in Seattle!
• Install a drainwater heat recovery system to recover heat from warm water. You’ll save money on heating water and possibly increase the capacity of your water heater.

Washer & dryer

• Consider switching to an energy-efficient clothes washer, many of which are front-loading. Front-loading machines save water and energy, are easier on your clothes, use less detergent, and allow your clothes to dry faster. Look for the ENERGY STAR label.
• Check with your utility to see if they offer rebates for purchasing efficient washing machines.
• When buying a new dryer, look for a moisture sensor and an automatic shutoff valve, rather than just a timer.
• Dryers must be vented to the outside. Choose a metal duct, preferably with a smooth interior, and use the shortest, most direct route possible to vent it to the outdoors.
• Check the inside of the duct twice a year for accumulated lint and to ensure that it has not come loose in the wall cavity, attic or crawl space.
• Recycle your old appliances.

Energy saving tip!

Try a laundry spinner – a wastebasket-sized gadget that can spin wet clothes at 3,200 rpm, quickly taking out nearly half of the water. The spinner will reduce your dryer time by up to 50 percent.

Heating & cooling

An estimated 40 percent of home energy use is for space heating. If your system is inefficient, as much as 30-50 percent of this energy is wasted.

• Conduct a blower door test to identify and quantify air leakage paths.
• Install the furnace or boiler in a central, well-insulated mechanical closet to save energy by reducing delivery distance and heat loss.
• Locate your heating and cooling system inside conditioned space to take advantage of indoor temperatures.
• Check your ductwork/distribution system. Poorly insulated or unsealed ducts can transfer up to half your heat into un-heated areas of your home.
• To assess the cost-effectiveness of changing your heating fuel type, talk to a certified heating professional.
• If your furnace is more than 15 years old, consider purchasing a new high efficiency model that has earned the ENERGY STAR label.
• Install a heat recovery ventilator to recover heat from air exiting your home. These units can recover between 50-80 percent of the heat that would otherwise be lost through ventilation.
• Install photovoltaic (PV) or solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. Look for rebates to help reduce the initial costs.
• For homes built before 1991, upgrade to a whole house ventilation system as prescribed in the Washington State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code.

Pipes

Use polyethylene (PE or PEX) piping for plumbing rather than polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is hazardous to the environment throughout its lifecycle.

Additional resources

• Green Home Remodel Guide for Bath and Laundry Rooms– from the King County Solid Waste Division
  Provides in-depth eco-friendly tips for your laundry room/mechanical closet remodeling project– on everything from water heaters, to efficient laundry machines, to electrical system efficiency improvements

Washing machines and dryers

• Ehow Tips for Replacing Washing Machine Spinners
  Offers step-by-step instructions on how to remove and replace your current laundry machine spinner (agitator)— if upgrading to a more water efficient model
• ENERGY STAR-Qualified Clothes Washers
  Helps you find washers and dryers that qualify under ENERGY STAR’s new criteria. It also provides “water factors” information for water efficiency comparison between brands
• ENERGY STAR Store Locator
  Helps you find which stores carry energy and water-efficient washers and dryers
• Saving Water Partnership– for Laundry Rooms
  Provides several strategies for saving water inside your laundry room

Heating and electrical systems

• Puget Sound Energy's Renewable Energy Advantage Program (REAP)
  A voluntary, financial incentive program that benefits customers who generate their own renewable power and connect to their electricity grid
• Northwest Mechanical Incorporated
  A local contractor specializing in the design, installation, service, and repair of both radiant flooring and several solar-powered home systems

Energy savings

• Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audit Guide– from the King County Solid Waste Division
  Offers tips on home energy efficiency improvements that can be made without hiring a professional
• Insulation and Air Sealing from the U.S. Department of Energy
  Provides information on energy–efficient insulation, and how to fix air leakages in your home
• "For Your Home"– from Puget Sound Energy
  Offers tips and information on energy-saving rebates
• U.S. Department of Energy Home Energy Audits
  Offers both professional and do-it-yourself tips for conducting home energy audits
• Washington State University Energy Program
  Provides information on the most cutting-edge research on energy

Other

• Cascade Water Alliance
  An organization of several King County cities focusing on water conservation efforts. They offer consumer info on ways to save water and take advantage of water saving rebates
• EcoBusiness Environmental Directory
  Provides an extensive list of links to companies that specialize in eco-friendly products for any home remodeling project
• Ecohaus
  A local green building product retailer that sells and offers detailed specifications on many green building products
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Options– from the King County Solid Waste Division
  Provides information on how to best dispose of household hazardous waste
• "Textile Recycling"– from the King County Solid Waste Division
  Shows several ways that people can recycle or donate unwanted clothing

Note: links to external sites include educational resources and businesses that are partners of existing or former King County Solid Waste Division environmental programs. If your business offers environmentally friendly home remodeling products or services, and you would like to be listed as a resource in the Eco-Cool Remodel Tool, please contact the EcoConsumer program online.

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