Laundry
Energy used to wash and dry clothing can contribute significantly to your home or apartment’s energy bill. The tips below can help you “lighten the load” your laundry adds to your electric bill.
Qualifying Clothes Washers and Dryers may be eligible for instant discounts at participating retailers.
Clothes Washers
Clothes WasherClothes Washer
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Clothes Washer
Rebate Amount: $150
Have the following items ready:
- Your Burlington Electric Department account number. It is printed on your monthly bill.
- A photo or scan of your proof of purchase.
Terms & Conditions
- Only valid on purchases of new ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Certified Washers. Please visit the ENERGY STAR® Most Efficient Washers Product Finder to identify eligible models.
- IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you are purchasing a model with the Most Efficient designation. Not all ENERGY STAR products have this special designation.
- This rebate form must be submitted within 60 days of purchase.
- Only for BED customers with active accounts.
- Limit one rebate per account.
- BED reserves the right to modify or end this offer at any time.
- This offer is valid through December 31, 2024.
- Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to inspect installation and/or verify purchase.
- Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to modify or end this offer at any time.
- Please be aware that if your rebates from BED total more than $600 in a calendar year you may be required to complete and submit a W9 form. A W9 form will be provided in this rebate form if it is required.
- If you wash your clothes in warm or hot water, consider using cold water instead. Unless you are trying to remove grease stains, cold water will get your wash just as clean for a lot less money than hot water.
- Consider the efficiency of the water heater supplying hot water for your washer. Heat Pump Water Heaters can use 30 – 50% less energy than a standard electric hot water tank and can cost half as much to operate. If you have an electric hot water heater, you can receive a rebate to switch to a HPWH.
- ENERGY STAR MOST EFFICIENT-certified clothes washer models will
- cut water usage by over 30%
- cut energy consumption by 60% (if you wash with hot water; you could save more if you wash with cold water)
- generally need less detergent,
- and may be gentler on clothes.
IMPORTANT: Burlington Electric Department rebates on clothes washers are only available on ENERGY STAR MOST EFFICIENT-designated appliances. Not all ENERGY STAR-certified appliances have this special designation.
Clothes Dryers
Burlington Electric Department and Efficiency Vermont offers rebates up to $400 on ENERGY STAR-certified dryers.
Rebate
Clothes Dryer Rebates Rebate Qualified Product List
Puchasing Tips
- Standing drying racks, or outdoor clotheslines in temperate weather are the least expensive drying methods. If it is hot and sunny, a clothesline can dry your clothes faster than a dryer. Using a passive drying method could save you $10 – $20 per month.
- When using a dryer, select low-heat settings like ‘Delicates’ to minimize energy and costs associated with clothes drying.
- When shopping for a new clothes dryer, consider a ventless dryer (either condensing or heat pump). Did you know that a standard electric dryer can exhaust the entire heated (or cooled) volume of air of the entire house in a single drying cycle? Ventless dryers perform comparably to standard electric clothes dryers, and do not require an exhaust vent to the outside. This results in a tremendous energy saving advantage, and can improve the aesthetics of your home by not requiring a vent termination through the siding or exterior finish. While ventless dryers do not require an exhaust vent to the outside, they do require a drain connection. A clothes washer drain box is an acceptable approach.
- ENERGY STAR-certified dryers use 20% less energy than standard models. Those designated as Most Efficient deliver increased energy savings.
Safety Tips
- Cleaning your dryer’s exhaust vent is a quick and easy way to save a little energy while practicing good fire safety. A clogged dryer vent is a significant safety hazard. At least once a year, you should disconnect the vent pipe and clean out the lint. While this may only save a small amount on your utility bill, it could prevent a house fire.
- Plastic dryer vents are also a potential fire hazard. Buy a rigid aluminum or galvanized steel pipe vent if you are if you are replacing a dryer or the dryer vent. The material is long-lasting, much safer, and the smooth pipe walls allow for more efficient airflow and fewer surfaces on which to catch drier lint.