Have family visiting you this holiday season? Thinking about all the bedding you’ll have to wash and extra clothing loads adding up? Now is the time to upgrade to an energy efficient washer! Save water and money this winter by switching to an energy efficient washer, then apply for a rebate with the Task Force for even more savings. You’ll be helping the Gallatin by keeping more water in the river, reducing your water and energy bills, and still have clean and soft laundry. On top of all that, you can get up to $150 in rebates for swapping out your washer through the Big Sky Water Conservation Program! If you aren’t already convinced, here’s a little more:
We know that Big Sky is a drought-prone area, meaning water conservation is crucial to the health of the Gallatin River and ensuring there is, cold, and flowing water for generations to come. Inefficient washers use about 40 gallons of water per load, while efficient models use around 15 gallons. With the less efficient models, US households use an average of 11,400 gallons of water per year. You can save over 7,000 gallons per year by switching to an energy-efficient model. That’s over 7,000 gallons you’re keeping as groundwater which moves back into the Gallatin River and helps maintain streamflow in the dry season!
If you’re concerned about the quality of the wash, don’t fret – upgrading your washer doesn’t mean sacrificing the quality of your wash. High-efficiency washers have proven to wash your clothes better with less water and less detergent than standard models. This is because high-efficiency washers are gentler on your clothes while still giving you a high-quality clean, which means less wear-and-tear on your clothing.
When searching for which washer will be best for you and your household, look for the Energy Star label; or, visit the Energy Star website directly. Once you’ve made your upgrade, apply for a rebate and get up to $150 cash back. Rebates are given at a first-come-first-serve basis. Contact Jess Olson at jessica@gallatinrivertaskforce.com or (406) 993-2519 with questions.