Like an electric shower, an iron needs a lot of electricity to heat its heating element. Therefore, the first step to saving energy when ironing clothes is to use the utensil consciously. When buying, it is also very important to choose the most efficient and practical model for your household routine.

Types of iron

Some models of iron are more economical than others. Steam irons, for example, double the energy consumption of dry irons. If you use a steamer, this consumption tends to be up to six times higher.

Some steam irons already have an automatic shut-off option, triggered after 15 minutes of inactivity when the appliance is in the vertical position. As well as saving electricity, this device can also prevent fires.

Other models that are also available on the market are those with a ceramic or tourmaline base, Teflon base, durilium base, vertical or portable iron.

When choosing the best iron, it is very important to bear in mind when buying that every appliance has an energy efficiency indicator, indicating energy consumption, the Procel Seal label.

Energy Efficiency: How to save on your energy bill when using an iron

According to the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL), an iron consumes around 5% of all the energy in a home. This appliance is one of the most expensive on the electricity bill. Quite necessary in the routine of many families, there are tips that can help you use your iron without causing a major impact on your household budget:

10 tips to save money when ironing

• Try to iron more pieces at once.
• Choose to iron light clothes after others made of more resistant fabrics, so that you can use the appliance switched off to reuse the heat.
• Assess the real need to iron some items and only iron those that crease a lot.
• Use the temperature indicated for each type of fabric. 
• Unplug the iron when you're not using it to save energy and prevent accidents.
• Choose to buy clothes with fabrics that don't need to be ironed. 
• When buying, choose the iron with the lowest power.
• Lining the ironing board allows you to make better use of the appliance.
• Iron clothes outside peak energy consumption times (between 6pm and 8pm).
• When washing, hang t-shirts, shirts and blouses on hangers so that they dry and fade naturally.

Find out more:

• Neoenergia provides guidance for the efficient use of energy
• Energy efficiency in summer Neoenergia reinforxes tips for conscious consumption