I just received my electric bill and OUCH! It had jumped way up from where it was last month.  I’ve already turned down the thermostat a notch or two (as I sit here with a sweater and blanket writing this article). So now I’m finding other little ways to lower the heating bill and save money too.

According to the US Department of Energy, about 90% of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating water. To cut your energy use and save money, use cold water for everyday washing and reserve hot water for loads with oily stains. The Department of  Energy has dozens of other energy-saving tips for the laundry room.

Did you know that every load of laundry that you wash in cold water saves 25 cents? Now that doesn’t sound like much until you do some simple math.  I have a family of five, so let’s use my family as an example.