When Is the Best Time to Do Laundry in Texas?

When Is the Best Time to Do Laundry in Texas?

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In the Lone Star State, where energy consumption and costs can soar as high as the temperatures, finding the best time to do laundry is more than just a convenience — it’s a smart financial move. With the state’s unique energy landscape and climate considerations, many Texans in deregulated markets can reduce their utility bills by strategically timing their laundry routines. Let’s dive into what affects laundry timing in Texas and how to adopt eco-friendly habits.

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What Affects Best Laundry Timing in Texas?

Several factors influence the best time to tackle your laundry:

  • Energy demand: Electricity rates fluctuate during the day. Late afternoon and early evening typically see higher demand — and higher prices — because that’s when most people are home and using more energy.
  • Texas heat: Running your dryer during the hottest parts of the day can heat your home and force your air conditioner to work harder. By timing laundry for cooler hours, you can avoid higher energy costs and limit stress on the grid.
  • Water restrictions: Drought conditions in some areas of Texas come with water usage limitations. Check local regulations, especially during summer months, for limitations on using water-heavy appliances like washing machines.
  • Your schedule: If your household doesn’t stick to the traditional 9-to-5 schedule, you might have more flexibility to do laundry during less expensive, off-peak hours.

When Is Laundry Cheapest in Texas?

Electricity typically costs less during off-peak hours, which vary by provider and generally fall between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. These are times when energy demand is lower, resulting in reduced rates. Many utility providers in Texas offer time-of-use (TOU) plans that reward customers for using electricity during these periods. Learn your energy provider’s specific peak and off-peak times and adjust your laundry schedule accordingly.

The cheapest laundry times can vary by season. In the summer, laundry is cheapest in the early morning or late at night when the outside temperature is cooler. In winter, laundry is cheaper during midday, when the weather is warmer.

How to Save Energy While Doing Laundry

Laundry timing is just one way to reduce energy consumption. Here are other energy-saving habits that can cut costs and lower your carbon footprint:

  • Invest in energy-efficient appliances: If it’s time for an upgrade, look for Energy Star-certified washers and dryers. These models use significantly less energy and water than older appliances. Look for rebates from your utility provider to offset the upfront costs of energy-efficient appliances.
  • Use cold water washes: Washing in cold water dramatically cuts energy use since heating water is one of the most energy-intensive parts of doing laundry. Modern detergents designed for cold water work just as effectively without sacrificing cleanliness.
  • Run full loads: Instead of running smaller loads throughout the week, wait until you’ve got a full machine. Running fewer but fuller loads of laundry saves water and electricity, making each cycle more efficient.
  • Dry efficiently: Use dryer balls to improve air circulation in the dryer, cutting down on drying time. Enable the moisture sensor on your dryer instead of setting a timed cycle, which prevents over-drying and saves energy.

More Laundry Tips to Help the Environment

These small changes to your laundry routine can significantly reduce your environmental impact:

  • Choose eco-friendly detergents: Use biodegradable, phosphate-free detergents to minimize water pollution. Concentrated formulas are more efficient and reduce plastic waste from packaging.
  • Air dry your clothes: Texas’s sunny climate makes it easy to line dry clothes outside, which saves energy and is gentler on fabrics, extending the lifespan of your clothing.
  • Regular maintenance: Check your washer and dryer for leaks or inefficiencies. Keeping appliances in good working order ensures they run efficiently and conserve water and energy.

Why Timing Your Laundry Matters

Making a habit of timing your laundry can benefit both your wallet and the environment. You’ll notice the difference in your monthly electricity bill when you do laundry during cheaper, off-peak hours. Making this adjustment to your routine can lead to substantial savings throughout the year. By timing laundry during cooler periods, you also reduce the workload on your air conditioning system for even more energy savings.

On top of that, doing laundry during off-peak hours helps ease the strain on the Texas energy grid, which relies heavily on non-renewable sources like natural gas. Reducing your household’s demand during peak hours lowers your carbon footprint and helps contribute to a more balanced energy supply in the state.

Running appliances during cooler parts of the day also reduces wear and tear on them, potentially extending their lifespan, meaning fewer replacements and less electronic waste over time.

Texas’s Energy Grid and Laundry Timing

Much of Texas operates on a supply-and-demand energy pricing model managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Real-time demand shapes the state’s energy rates, so it’s important to carefully time energy-heavy activities like laundry. Texas is also a leader in renewable energy production, particularly wind power, which peaks overnight. By doing laundry later in the day, you might also be tapping into cleaner, renewable energy sources.

During extreme weather events, such as heat waves or winter storms, the energy grid can become especially stressed. Timing your energy use during these periods helps prevent blackouts and can also lead to big savings.

Green Community and Utility Programs

In Texas, there are many opportunities to participate in programs that promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. These programs can help you reduce energy use and offset the cost of energy-efficient appliances.

Utility Rebate Programs

Many Texas utility companies offer rebate programs for purchasing Energy Star-certified appliances. These rebates can lower the initial cost of upgrading to energy-efficient washers and dryers. 

Look into rebate programs offered by providers like TXU Energy, Reliant Energy or Oncor. These companies often provide rebates for Energy Star appliances and for installing energy-efficient home systems such as smart thermostats or solar panels.

Many Texas utility providers offer free or subsidized energy audits. These audits can help identify where your home is losing energy and provide actionable recommendations for making your house more energy-efficient. Energy audits are a great starting point if you’re looking to cut back on electricity usage across the board, not just in the laundry room.

Green Building Initiatives

Texas has several green building initiatives that promote sustainability in residential construction, such as the Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) program. If you’re considering major home renovations or building a new home, look into programs that encourage the use of energy-efficient appliances and practices. 

This article was created with the assistance of automation technology, reviewed and fact-checked by two editors specializing in deregulated energy.