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Clothes Washers
Clothes Washers
Clothes washers can waste a lot of money if not used carefully. New high-efficiency models are available and can save both energy and money!
Quick Links:
What are my options?
How to buy?
How much can I save?
What are my options?
There are two types of clothes washers: top-loading (vertical-axis) washers and front-loading (horizontal-axis) washers. Standard vertical-axis washers—the most common type in American homes—agitate clothes in a tub full of water, using approximately 40 gallons of water per load.
Front-loading washers tumble clothes through a pool of water at the bottom of the tub, using only 18 to 25 gallons of water per load. High-efficiency top-loading washers use modified technology, such as multiple-spray washing and rinsing, to save water and energy.
How to buy?
Two things to look for when shopping for a new, energy efficient clothes washer are the EnergyGuide label and the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR clothes washers use 50% less energy than standard washers, and can save you $550 in energy costs over its lifetime.
To see a list of these qualified clothes washers and their performance ratings, click here: ENERGY STAR Qualified Clothes Washers. Click here to locate a store in your area that sells ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers: Store Locator. Also look in the financial resources page to see federal and state rebates available for the purchase of energy efficient appliances.
Choose a size that meets your needs. ENERGY STAR washers come in many sizes, with capacities ranging from 1.6 to 3.8 cubic feet. Stackable and under-the-counter designs are also available. Choose a model with a high Modified Energy Factor (MEF) and a low Water Factor (WF) for superior energy performance.
Choose a model that has several water level options. This will allow you to adjust the water level to fit the load. Some models have sensors that automatically adjust the water level and cycle to the size and type of load you are washing.
Choose a washer with faster spin speeds. Models that spin faster extract more water from clothes, reducing their drying time.
Energy-Saving Tips
The following laundry tips can help you save energy and money with your existing or new clothes washer:
Use cooler water. 90% of the energy used by your washer is used for heating the water. Switching the temperature setting on your washer from hot to warm can cut a load’s energy use in half. To save even more energy, wash your clothes in cold water whenever possible.
Wash full loads. If you are washing a smaller load, you should adjust the water level setting on your washer to the size of your load.
How much can I save?
Replacing your existing clothes washer with a new, energy efficient clothes washer could save you between $75 and $100 in energy costs each year and may lengthen the life of your clothes.