The Kenya Power and Lighting Company is encouraging households to adopt smarter ironing habits that could help reduce electricity consumption and lower monthly power bills.
The utility says simple changes, such as ironing clothes in bulk, starting with garments that require higher temperatures, and switching off the iron before completing lighter items, can help consumers use electricity more efficiently.
The advice stems from how electric irons consume power. Most household irons use between 1,000 and 2,000 watts of electricity, making them among the more energy-intensive appliances found in many homes.
A significant amount of electricity is consumed when the iron box is heating up to the required temperature.
Kenya Power on Smarter Ironing
According to Kenya Power, ironing clothes in bulk helps reduce the number of times an iron has to undergo the heating process.
“When you iron a few clothes at a time on different days, the iron must heat up from room temperature each time it is switched on. By combining clothes into one session, consumers reduce repeated heating cycles and improve energy efficiency,” the utility explained.
Research by the Hong Kong Ministry of Energy supports the recommendation, noting that frequent reheating increases electricity use because the appliance repeatedly undergoes its most energy-demanding phase.
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Kenya Power also advises consumers to begin ironing heavier fabrics such as denim and thick cotton before moving to lighter materials.
The recommendation is based on how irons regulate heat.
Heavy fabrics typically require higher temperatures, while lighter materials need lower settings.
Starting with garments that require the highest temperatures allows the appliance to reach the required heat level once before users gradually reduce the temperature for other fabrics.
This minimizes repeated temperature increases, reducing the workload on the heating element and lowering electricity consumption.
Research further shows that sorting clothes according to fabric type before ironing can improve efficiency by reducing the need for constant temperature adjustments.
Frequent changes force the iron to heat and cool repeatedly, increasing energy use over time.
Another recommendation from Kenya Power is switching off the iron shortly before the ironing session is complete.
Many consumers assume ironing must stop immediately after power is disconnected, but the appliance continues to retain heat for several minutes.
Making Use of Residual Heat
The iron’s soleplate stores thermal energy even after the appliance has been switched off.
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Kenya Power says consumers can use this remaining heat to finish lighter garments and delicate fabrics without drawing additional electricity from the power supply.
Energy-efficiency guidance identifies the use of residual heat as one of the simplest methods of reducing electricity consumption during ironing.
Instead of keeping the appliance connected to power until the last item is pressed, users can take advantage of the heat already generated by the iron.
More research by the Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical Services Department also recommends selecting the correct temperature for each fabric.
Using excessive heat on delicate materials not only increases electricity use but can also damage clothing.
Choosing the appropriate setting ensures energy is used efficiently while maintaining effective ironing performance.
The condition of the appliance can also influence efficiency.
Regular cleaning and preventing mineral build-up help an iron maintain optimal heating performance.
A clean soleplate transfers heat more effectively, allowing the appliance to reach and sustain the desired temperature with less wasted energy.
Kenya Power says the recommendations are part of simple household practices that can help consumers get more value from every unit of electricity used.
KPLC concluded by stating that small changes in everyday routines can contribute to lower electricity bills over time.
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