Washington, DC, January 2009 – In this tough economy, the Alliance to Save Energy and Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. offer consumers no-cost/low-cost laundry and hot water energy tips to cut monthly energy bills, as well as reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. jeans can now be washed in cold water, and the energy- and money-saving benefits of cold water washing are highlighted on co-branded pallets in Wal-Mart Stores. These benefits can also be found on the Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. website along with other no-cost/low-cost tips attributed to the Alliance.

Even small no-cost/low-cost actions like the tips listed below can add up to big savings throughout the year. These 13 laundry and hot water reduction suggestions are among a total of 40 affordable, easy tips that most homeowners can do in difficult economic times.

Laundry tips to lower home energy bills:

Clothes washers and dryers collectively account for more than 6 percent of your annual home energy bill, with the bulk of that amount coming from the dryer. That's about $150 for the average household.

• Switch to washing your clothes in cold water with specially formulated detergents for cold water and save energy and money while better preserving fabric color.
• Do full loads of laundry to avoid wasting energy and water.
• Do not over-wash clothes. Delicate clothes don't need as long a wash cycle as dirty work clothes.
• Clean the dryer lint filter after every load to improve air circulation and quicken drying. Also, a dryer lint filter and vent clogged with lint can cause a home fire.
• Dry towels and heavier items separately from lighter-weight items when doing laundry.
• Don't over-dry clothes. Take clothes out while they are still slightly damp to reduce the need for ironing — another energy user. If your dryer has an auto-dry feature, use that instead of the timer.
• Replacing your dryer? Select a model with a moisture sensor feature to save money and wear and tear on your clothes. Since that type of dryer shuts off as soon as the clothes are dry, it could significantly cut drying time and related bills.

Reduce hot water usage to lower energy bills:

Your water heater works around the clock to provide enough hot water to wash your clothes, dishes, and to bathe. As a result, about 10 percent of home energy use goes to heat water — that's about $265 for the average household. Additionally, clothes washers use about 20 percent of hot water in the average American home. Here are some other easy tips to save on hot water usage:

• Turn down the thermostat on your hot water heater to 130 degrees. It’s hot enough to wash anything and much safer. Lowering the temperature 10° can cut your water heating costs 3-5 percent.
• Take showers instead of baths, and install a low-flow showerhead. It saves up to 1.5 gallons a minute.
• Do full loads of laundry and dishes to avoid wasting energy and water.
• Cut your dishwasher expenses. Dishwasher use represents about 3 percent of your annual energy bill, or about $75. Air dry dishes instead of using the drying feature — which doubles the appliance's power draw — for additional savings. That simple move could further reduce your bills by about $35.
• Nix the drips! Fix leaky faucets around the house, and consider water-saving faucet attachments.
• Insulate your hot water pipes and water heater with approved insulation materials to help hold the heat inside. Add pre-cut pipe insulation to exposed pipes going into your water heater — it’s cheap and easy to install. If you’re starting with a tank that is not insulated, the energy savings should pay for the improvements in just a few months.;