Does doing smaller loads in the washer and dryer save electricity?

Question

I was having an argument with my roommate who says its better to do 3 smaller loads as opposed to one full load of laundry at a time. Running a smaller load only requires one 60 minute cycle in the dryer, while running a full load takes 3 60-minute cycles. So her method essentially uses the washer for 3 cycles and the dryer for 3 cycles, totaling 6 cycles altogether, whereas my method only uses the washer for 1 cycle and the dryer for 3 cycles, totaling 4 cycles. They are both about 6 years old and the brand is "Roper" and they are not energy-efficient models. Can someone please tell me on what planet 6 cycles uses less electricity than 4?

Answer 1

The Planet?  Bizzarro World.  Superman comics. Where longer is shorter.  Your math is correct. Energy efficient or not it is the same result.  Simple math. Electricity useage= time it is used.4 hours vs 6 hours.  FYI  A clothes line uses 0 power.  Just throwing that out there.

As for the dryer taking a long time, there is a good chance one of the heating coils is burned through so it does not heat as hot as it should.  You only use more motor time running .  It is like running a hair dryer on Low heat instead of high heat. Low takes longer to dry.  It is a hassle to take them apart to fix them.  Mine has been that way for years.  Just not IMPORTANT.  as the clothes still dry.

Answer 2

Three small loads uses a lot more power than one large load. The machine is running for 60 minutes however much is in it.

Think about it, does running the machine empty use no power?

The most efficient use of power for a washing machine is to only every run full loads.

Answer 3

I agree with Karen. I had a dryer taking way too long to dry clothes.  The duct was cleaned and everything was in working order. I needed to get a new dryer and did. Since that time the drying time is much, much shorter.  The washer also had to be replaced, both were very old.

Answer 4

your room mate is an idiot.

Why would running the washer 3 times take less electricity than running it once.

AND if your dryer takes 3 hours to dry one load, you need it repaired ASAP. the washer isn't using excess electricity, the dryer is.

Answer 5

Hmmm. Washing three loads instead of one uses three times the water and three times the electricity that the washing machine would use in only one load.

Now if it is taking sooo long for your dryer to dry a big load, then I would like to suggest that your dryer exhaust system needs some serious cleaning out. If the dryer is taking so long to dry, then the dryer is not breathing properly. Meaning that the duct or the outside exhaust vent is really plugged up! I always wash using big loads and it only takes a total of about 80 minutes for a big load to fully dry. There is something seriously wrong with your dryer if it is taking soooo long to dry a large load! Oh, ...and make sure that the lint filter in the dryer is cleaned out before each load is started.

Answer 6

I agree with Karen; full loads are more efficient.  The one thing you can do to help the process is ensure the machines are balanced (especially the washer) and the filters, exhaust ports and hose are clear of lint buildup.

Answer 7

I've reread that post 3 times. Does it actually take three hours to dry a full load? If it does, something is terribly wrong with your dryer. Or the washer is not spinning out nearly enough water. Get it checked and start saving up for a new W/D.

Answer 8

If you have a top machine an over load can do damage after a while. A huge loaf of jeans are too heavy.  A normal full load is the most efficient.

Any load that takes over an hour to dry is too big or too wet. 

What do you mean by cycles?  One wash in regular wash/rinse/spin cycle should be enough

Answer 9

Full loads are more efficient.

Answer 10

Your washer will use about the same amount of energy no matter the size of the load, so fill it up. Dry right-sized loads for your machine. If the dryer is too full, it will take longer for the clothes to dry. Loads that are too small can also take longer to dry, plus you spend more per item when running the dryer to only dry a few things.