Clothes Washers

Get Rebates,
Incentives & Services

Introduction

A typical household clothes washer can cost as much as $1,500 to operate over its lifetime (12 years), and almost 90% of all energy used in operating a washing machine goes towards heating the water. By investing in a new, efficient front- or top-loading washer, homeowners can dramatically save energy, water and money.

Technology Options

Horizontal-axis washers, also known as tumble-action or front-loading machines, typically have a door on the front of the washer and use a basket that rotates horizontally to wash, rinse and spin the clothes. The rotation of the basket turns the clothes in and out of a small amount of water that collects at the bottom of the basket. Because the clothes tumble through the water, these machines typically fill to only about one-third the water level of conventional top-loading machines. In addition, no agitator is required with this technology; many users find these washers to be gentler on clothes because snagging on a central agitator is one of the causes of wash-related wear and tear on clothing.

In a conventional top-loading, vertical-axis washer, the basket must be filled to a water level that will cover the clothes. The agitator then moves the water to wash the clothes. High-efficiency top-loading clothes washers tend to use modified technology: the agitator may be smaller, or eliminated altogether; clothes may be tumbled in a manner more similar to front-loading washers; and clothes may be washed in multiple-spray wash and rinse cycles instead of a single wash cycle with a tub of water.

High-efficiency models are available in both front- and top-loading configurations, and manufacturers continue to introduce more-efficient models of both styles that provide superior washing and clothes handling performance. High-efficiency washers also tend to spin at faster cycles than conventional machines, removing more water from the clothes ,which reduces the amount of time and energy required to dry them.

Efficiency Ratings
The Modified Energy Factor (MEF) is the number of cubic feet of laundry that can be washed and dried with one kilowatt-hour of electricity. As of January 1, 2004, a new federal standard was set at a minimum MEF of 1.04. The federal standard will change again in 2007, increasing to MEF of at least 1.26.

The Water Factor (WF) is the number of gallons of water needed for each cubic foot of laundry. The lower the number, the more water saved.

Efficiency Benefits

An ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer can save you up to $875 in energy and water costs over the life of the machine. (Your actual savings will depend on the utility prices in your area.)

  • Save energy: If you get a new washer with double the MEF, you could do two loads of laundry for the same amount of energy you used for washing one load. If you increase the MEF by two times, you will cut your energy use in half; increase the MEF by three times, and you will cut energy use by two-thirds.
  • Save money: A base ENERGY STAR model (MEF 1.26) will save $55 to $73 each year, depending on whether the home relies on electric or gas water heating. In California, average savings will be even higher.
  • Save water: Full-sized ENERGY STAR qualified washers use 18 to 25 gallons of water per load, compared to the 40 gallons for standard-efficiency machines. At least 1,144 gallons of water are saved annually if laundry is done once a week.
  • Improve performance: ENERGY STAR qualified washers earn the highest ratings for cleaning performance and gentle treatment of clothes from consumer ratings organizations.
  • Increase capacity: High-efficiency washers without agitators allow more clothes to fit into each load.
  • Reduce drying time: Faster spin cycles remove more moisture from clothes, reducing drying time and electricity consumption.
  • Cut emissions: According to the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a new horizontal-axis clothes washer can cut your household emissions of carbon dioxide by 326 lbs./year.

Manufacturers

Kenmore, Whirlpool, Maytag, Frigidaire and Asko are some of the manufacturers of ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers. For a complete list, visit the ENERGY STAR website.

Purchasing Tips

  • Check the yellow EnergyGuide label. Notice how much energy it takes to operate the model, the energy use of similar models and the annual operating costs.
  • Look for an ENERGY STAR qualified model to maximize water and energy savings while achieving superior washer performance.
  • Choose a size that meets your household needs. ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers are available in many sizes, ranging in capacity from 1.6 to 3.8 cubic feet. ENERGY STAR qualified models are also available in stackable and under-the-counter designs to fit into smaller spaces.
  • Choose a model with a "mini-basket." The mini-basket is a small tub that fits inside the regular basket so you can wash very small loads.
  • Choose a washing machine with faster spin speeds. This can improve water extraction, thereby reducing drying time.
  • Look for a model with a sensor that automatically adjusts the water level and cycle to the size and type of load you are washing.