ECM: Domestic Water-Heating Systems

Information by State  Print version   CAUTION STATEMENT TURN OFF UTILITIES: Turn off electricity, gas, propane, and other utilities before starting repairs, cleaning, or installations to avoid accident or injury. BE AWARE OF LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARDS: Many residences built before 1978 have paint that contains lead, which can pose a serious health hazard if paint, chips, and dust are not handled properly. See the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead brief before disturbing painted surfaces in homes of this vintage. Follow the HUD “Lead-Safe Housing Rule” for requirements for notification, evaluation and reduction of lead-based paint hazards. BE AWARE OF ASBESTOS HAZARDS: Homes older than 1977 may have building products that contain asbestos such as insulation, high-temperature gaskets, roofing and siding shingles, and vinyl sheet flooring. See the EPA asbestos brief before disturbing such materials. BE AWARE OF MOLD AND MOISTURE HAZARDS: Molds can gradually destroy materials they grow on; can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people; can cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold; and can cause other serious health problems. To learn more about preventing and cleaning up mold in homes, see these mold guides and the EPA brief on What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas.

W4. Convert Laundry to Cold Rinse

Description

Although warm or hot water is necessary to wash many types of clothing, cold water can be used in the rinse cycle for all applications. Converting laundries to cold rinse cycle can generate significant energy savings by cutting down on hot water use.

If the washing machines are owned by the PHA, conversion of the laundry rinse cycle to cold water can be done by maintenance staff or an outside service person. If the washers are owned by a vendor, the PHA should ask the vendor to perform the conversion.

Applicability

• Single-family and multifamily buildings with washing machines provided by the PHA (either directly or through a vendor)
• Washing machines that have not been converted to cold water rinse

Considerations

• If residents own their own washing machines, the PHA should not convert them to cold rinse cycles unless it can be done without altering the washing machine itself.

Performance/Economics

• Converting laundries to cold water rinse can reduce laundry hot water costs by 40 to 60 percent.

Resources/Links

Energy Conservation for Housing – A Workbook, HUD, September 1998. Pages 7-105 through 7-107 address converting laundries to cold water rinse.

Improving Energy Efficiency in Apartment Buildings, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 1995. ISBN 0-918249-23-6. Pages 115 and 116 address cold water rinse in laundries.