
Energy consumption, from your washer and dryer, accounts for more than 6 percent of your utility bills. Most of this expense is from your clothes dryer. In today's economy, everyone must do what they can to conserve on everything, and to make ends meet. Here are some energy saving tips for the laundry room:
The Washer:
Use cold water in the washer: It has been proven that cold water is just as effective in getting your clothes clean as hot or warm water. Using cold water will also prolong the life of your clothing and help to preserve the color, especially bright colors.
The Dryer:
Clean the lint filter: Cleaning the lint filter after every load improves air flow necessary for the dryer to operate efficiently. A hard-working dryer will cost $18 - $24 extra per month to operate
The Water Heater:
Your water heater accounts for about 10% of your home energy bills as it works to maintain a full tank of hot water at all times. Your washer uses about 20% of the hot water. You can save energy by turning your water heater down to 130 degrees. This is hot enough for all your laundry needs. Reducing the temperature is a good safety tip as well.
Other Tips:
These tips also apply to your dishwasher. Do only full load to avoid wasting water and energy. You can also air dry dishes to reduce the cost of energy consumed by your dishwasher by about half.

Leaky faucets are not only irritating; they are energy wasters. Fix leaky faucets or replace them with faucets that have energy saving attachments. Insulating the water pipes and your water heater will also make a difference.
All the above tips will reduce energy costs and prolong the life of your clothes and appliances. Annual Dryer Vent Cleaning is especially important to reduce energy costs and prevent a dryer fire. Dryer Vent Wizard provides all dryer vent services including dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair, dryer vent installation, and complete inspection of your dryer vent system. Contact Dryer Vent Wizard for an inspection and dryer vent cleaning today.
Dryer vent cleaning is often forgotten when scheduling appliance maintenance
Sacramento, CA - Energy is a scarce resource; the rising cost of utilities has encouraged Americans to be more conservative. Home maintenance, including weather-stripping, replacement windows and appliance maintenance has proven to reduce utility costs significantly. Gina Fazil, owner and operator of Dryer Vent Wizard, a dryer vent cleaning specialist, has made it her mission to educate consumers on clothes dryer maintenance. "Most people are aware of the necessity of appliance maintenance; they know to have their furnace cleaned regularly, but sadly, many do not think about dryer maintenance," said Gina Fazil in a recent interview. "A clothes dryer is much more likely to cause a fire than a furnace or stove."
Gina explained how lint can accumulate inside the dryer assembly and within the dryer ducts and vent system. "The dryer vent system removes moisture, heat and lint from your laundry, taking it out of your home through vent outside. Most of the lint should be caught in the lint screen, which most people know to clean between loads; however, some lint will escape the screen and become caught somewhere in the system. The lint, combined with the moisture from your laundry causes it to stick to the sides of th
e dryer duct work where it dries to a hard paste. This causes restricted air flow, making the dryer work harder to do its job. The end result is increased utility bills and a potential fire hazard."
Gina expressed concern about consumers who are unaware of the danger lurking in their dryer vent system. "It's so sad to hear of the devastation and loss of homes and lives when a clogged dryer vent causes a fire that can easily be prevented. I am especially concerned with people who live in apartment complexes and attached condos where one negligent resident can cause many to lose their homes. When I provide dryer vent cleaning and repair service, my job is not complete until my customer understands exactly how their dryer vent system works and how lint clogged ducts and vent start fires."
Though Gina is most concerned with fire safety, she also spoke about energy conservation as she explained, "When dryer ducts are clogged with lint, air flow is reduced, causing the dryer to work twice as hard to get laundry dry. Air flow is required to remove the heat and moisture from the wet clothes. Without proper air flow, the heat and moisture are trapped in the dryer drum with your laundry. Proper dryer vent maintenance will allow the dryer to work efficiently and reduce the cost of your utility bills."
Gina Fazil is the owner and operator of Dryer Vent Wizard, a dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation company, serving the Sacramento area. Gina inspects dryer duct and vent systems to be sure they are working efficiently and safely as she educates her customers on how to properly maintain their system between her annual visits. Visit http://www.dryerventwizard.com for tips and information on dryer vent safety.
Contact:
Dryer Vent Wizard/ Dry Clothes-Safe Homes
Gina M. Fazil/Owner
916-519-4569
Email: gfazil@dryerventwizard.com
Most homeowners know that it is important to maintain their appliances to keep them working efficiently and safely. They have their furnace cleaned and change filters often; but many are unaware of the danger that could be lurking in the clothes dryer.
When it comes to dryer maintenance, the first thing most people think of is the lint trap. Most people know that it is necessary to clean the lint trap between loads; some even go a little further and clean out the area where the lint screen goes too. This is all very good, but it is not enough. Lint is a very messy substance that can spread throughout the dryer and vent system, creating blockages that restrict air flow and cause fire hazards.
A specialist in dryer vent cleaning will do a thorough inspection of your dryer vent system to be sure it is working efficiently. The dryer vent cleaning company will have special tools required for getting to the areas that the average homeowner cannot get to or is unaware of.
Inside the Dryer: Lint has no problem getting into the difficult to reach areas of your clothes dryer; it often becomes trapped within the frame when it slips past the lint filter. This is messy; it clogs the system, causing reduced air flow and creating a fire hazard.
The Chute: Lint can become trapped within the chute where hot air is removed from the dryer to the vent on the outside of your home. When the ducts become clogged, the dryer must work harder to remove the moisture from your laundry. As it accumulates inside the ducts, it reduces air flow, causing overheating. 
The Dryer Vent: The final destination for the heat, moisture and lint is the vent on the outside of your house. This needs to be checked often to be sure it is opening properly to allow hot air to escape, then closing properly to keep bugs and rodents out.
Proper dryer vent cleaning and maintenance keeps the dryer working efficiently to save energy and reduce utility bills while also preventing a fire. Annual dryer vent cleaning is recommended for the average home and family; larger families who are doing more laundry may want to have this done more often.
Gina M. Fazil is a franchise owner/operator of Dryer Vent Wizard (DVW), Dry Clothes, Safe Homes, servicing the Sacramento, CA area including El Dorado, Solano, Yolo, Folsom, Vallejo, Vacaville, Roseville and neighboring communities.
Contact:
Dryer Vent Wizard/ Dry Clothes-Safe Homes
Gina M. Fazil/Owner
916-519-4569
Email: gfazil@dryerventwizard.com
Website: http://www.dryerventwizard.com
Don't let your dryer start a fire; keep your home safe and sound. Dryer Vent Wizard professionally inspects and cleans clothing dryers for homeowners and in commercially-owned buildings. Poorly maintained dryer vents cause fire hazards and cost substantially more to operate.
Why Dryer Vent Cleaning is so Important!
•· Dryer vents clogged with lint cost $18-24 more per month.
•· There are 15,500 fires every year caused by dryer vents.
•· Dryer manufacturers recommend you clean your dryer vent every year.
•· Regular dryer vent maintenance prolongs the life of your dryer.
Our services include:
•· Dryer vent cleaning
•· Dryer vent repair
•· Dryer vent alterations
•· Dryer vent tube installations
Contact:
Dryer Vent Wizard/ Dry Clothes-Safe Homes
Gina M. Fazil/Owner
916-519-4569
Email: gfazil@dryerventwizard.com
Website: http://www.dryerventwizard.com
Service area: Sacramento, El Dorado, Solano, Yolo, Folsom, Vallejo, Vacaville, El Dorado Hills, Roseville, Lincoln, Loomis, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Dixon, Benicia, Granite Bay, Galt, Natomas, Davis, Elk Grove and neighboring cities and communities.
If you keep up with annual maintenance of your household appliances, you are way ahead of a lot of people. Most people know to have their furnaces cleaned regularly for maximum performance and safety; however, many people are unaware of the potential danger that could be lurking in their dryer vent system. Experts find fire hazards in 99 out of 100 clothes dryers and vent systems they inspect.
UL Rating
Underwriters Laboratories is the trusted source across the US for product compliance. They have tested products for consumer safety for more than a century. The UL rating should be printed on a label in your clothes dryer, or the owner's manual. If your clothes dryer is new it is most likely UL approved. If you just purchased your new dryer and connected it to your existing dryer vent system, you still have a potential problem. Older dryer ducts, made of vinyl or plastic do not meet current city, state and manufacturer's codes. A professional dryer vent service and repair technician can quickly spot problems and install the proper system to keep your new (or old) dryer functioning safely and efficiently.
Length
Your dryer vent and duct systems carries lint, heat and moisture from your clothes dryer to the outside of your home. The longer the vent is, the harder your dryer will work and the greater your chances are of lint build-up within the system. The moisture from your wet clothing causes lint to stick to the sides of the duct work. As lint builds up, air flow is restricted, causing overheating and fire hazard. With a shorter duct system, the lint has a greater chance of making its way to the outside.
Twists, turns and sags
A sagging, vinyl dryer vent tube or one that has many bends will also cause air flow problems and reduce the efficiency of your clothes dryer. Like any appliance, one that works harder costs more to operate. Dryers that are located in the basement, on upper floors or on inside walls have longer duct systems that are more difficult for the average homeowner to access and clean. A dryer vent cleaning specialist has special tools for performing this task.
Smooth Material
What does the inside of your dryer vent tubing look and feel like? Are there screws protruding where pieces are joined together? The duct should be as smooth as possible on the inside to allow lint to escape instead of catching on screws and fasteners. Newer systems are made of semi-rigid metal and parts are designed to connect to each other without the use of screws to prevent this problem.
This article was written by Gina Fazil, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard in Sacramento, California. DVW specializes in dryer vent cleaning, repairs & alterations, while educating consumers on dryer vent maintenance and fire prevention. Gina Fazil of http://www.dryerventwizard.com services Sacramento, El Dorado, Solano, Yolo, Folsom, Vallejo, Vacaville, Roseville and neighboring communities.
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