Solar Power Clothes Dryer

This low-tech energy saver consists of a 20-foot length of rope and twenty or so clothes pins.

Using a drying rack inside also works well, but it takes a little longer to dry clothes.

The energy reduction here can be substantial. Hang-drying your clothes costs nothing in electrical usage.

Another laundry tip is to wash your clothes in cold water. Up to 90 percent of the energy needed to wash clothes is attributed to heating the water.

The average family will save $60 a year by washing in cold water.