My wife and I lately have been pondering where we could place a clothesline in our backyard in a way that is aesthetically doable and retain its utility: for us saving energy by using the dryer less. Our hot summer days in Sacramento are the perfect natural dryer, will help us further reduce our energy usage and of course help the environment.
A typical clothes dryer is the second highest energy using appliance behind the refrigerator. So the savings are arguably worth the effort, plus, I hear line dried laundry is the freshest.
The State of Hawaii is attempting to remove barriers to saving energy by encouraging residents to install clothes lines to dry their clothes. This policy move though is running square into resistance among homeowners associations that deem the lines an eyesore. Interesting story, interesting questions posed.
What takes precedence, the environment or longstanding association standards? Is there a middle ground that can be struck? Check out this story... what do you think?
Sean
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
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2 comments:
My vote? Energy saver. Especially in California. Our peak energy consumption is in the middle of summer and we build power plants to take care of our "needle peak" that lasts 40 hours a year or less.
So why in the world would you turn on your dryer when it's sunny and hot outside?
You should be able to do what you want in your backyard, and if someone else's house looks into your backyard...tough sh^&!
I agree, not being able to have a line in your backyard seemed a bit extreme to me too.
Sean
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