This Simple Laundry Habit Cuts Energy Bills More Than Turning Off Every Light in Your House

When it comes to trimming your electricity bill, most people start in the obvious places: turning off lights, unplugging chargers, or adjusting the thermostat a degree or two. But what if the biggest energy-saving hack was quietly spinning away in your laundry room?

According to personal finance expert Fred Harrington of SaveMyCent, a Brooklyn-based savings platform, there’s one laundry tweak that can save you more than any light switch ever could: washing your clothes in cold water.

“Most people don’t realise that heating water accounts for roughly 90% of a washing machine’s energy consumption,” explains Harrington. “When you make this one change, you’re targeting the biggest energy drain in your laundry routine.”

Let that sink in—90%. That means the biggest culprit behind your soaring electricity bills isn’t your AC, it’s the heat in your wash cycle.

Hot Water, Cold Cash

Here’s why the change packs such a powerful financial punch.

A typical hot water cycle uses around 4.5 kilowatt-hours per load. That drops to 2.3 kWh with warm water, and plummets to just 0.3 kWh with cold. If your household runs four hot-water loads a week, that’s 936 kWh annually. But if you switch to cold? You’re looking at a mere 62 kWh per year.

“The math is straightforward,” says Harrington. “If you’re doing four loads of laundry per week in hot water, you’re using about 936 kilowatt-hours annually just for heating water. Switch to cold, and that drops to just 62 kilowatt-hours—a reduction of nearly 875 kilowatt-hours per year.”

At the national average of $0.176 per kilowatt-hour, that’s about $149 in annual savings—and possibly more in regions with higher energy rates or in larger households.

So, what’s the catch? Turns out, there really isn’t one. You just need to set your machine to cold, stock up on the right detergent, and maybe pre-treat a few stubborn stains. That’s it.

How to Make the Cold Water Switch Work For You

1. Choose the Right Detergent

Not all soaps are created equal—especially when it comes to cold water. Opt for products labeled “cold water” or “works in all temperatures”. These formulas are packed with smart enzymes that kick into gear even at lower temps.

“The detergent industry has made significant advances in recent years,” notes Harrington. “Today’s cold water formulas can handle everything from grass stains to food spills without requiring the energy-intensive hot water cycles our parents relied on.”

2. Pre-Treat Like a Pro

Got a red wine spill or a muddy soccer uniform? No problem. Hit the stain with a remover or a dab of detergent 5–10 minutes before washing.

“Some people worry that cold water means clothes won’t get as clean, so they compensate by washing less frequently,” explains Harrington. “Actually, the opposite approach works better: wash more often with cold water, and you’ll prevent dirt and oils from setting in.”

3. Cold Water = Clothes That Last Longer

Besides the energy savings, cold water is kinder to fabrics, helping your clothes retain color, shape, and softness.

“Cold water washing actually helps preserve colors and prevent shrinkage,” says Harrington. “Not only are you saving on energy costs, you’re also saving on clothing replacement costs by keeping your wardrobe looking newer for longer.”

Why This Tip Beats the ‘Turn Off the Lights’ Advice

Still not convinced? Here’s some perspective from Harrington that might change the way you look at energy usage:

“When people think about cutting energy bills, they immediately jump to turning off lights or unplugging devices. But here’s the reality: your average LED light bulb uses about 10 watts per hour, while heating water for one hot wash cycle consumes the same energy as running that bulb for 450 hours straight. The impact isn’t even close.”

That’s not a typo. One hot wash = 450 hours of light bulb use. It’s clear which habit offers more bang for your buck.

Set It and Forget It

“What makes this habit so powerful is how it compounds over time. Those small daily choices – choosing cold instead of hot, pre-treating instead of rewashing – they add up to hundreds of dollars in annual savings. Most families do 300-400 loads of laundry per year, so you’re making this money-saving decision multiple times every week.

“The best part is that once you make the switch, it becomes automatic. You’re not constantly thinking about energy usage or making sacrifices to your lifestyle. You’re simply using cold water instead of hot, and the savings happen in the background while you go about your normal routine.”

No trade-offs. No sacrifice. Just savings on autopilot.

Final Spin

In the hunt for energy savings, it’s often the smallest, quietest switches that generate the biggest returns. So the next time you load the washer, pause before you tap that “hot” button. A simple flip to cold isn’t just better for your wallet—it’s a smart, sustainable habit that can add up over time.

And unlike turning off every light in your house, this one actually makes a difference.