More consumers are looking to ENERGY STAR®-certified clothes washers in order to use less energy and water, save money on utility bills, and help protect our environment.

The typical household in America washes and dries about 300 loads of laundry in a year. Up to 90 percent of the energy used to wash clothes is used to heat water, and the energy use of dryers is directly related to the moisture content of the clothes.

Given those factors, more consumers are looking to ENERGY STAR^®-certified clothes washers in order to use less energy and water, save money on utility bills, and help protect our environment. ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency.

ENERGY STAR-certified clothes washers use about 25 percent less energy and 40 percent less water than regular washers. They also have a greater tub capacity, which means you can wash fewer loads to clean the same amount of laundry.

Minimum efficiency standards of ENERGY STAR clothes washers include: A modified energy factor (MEF) or 2.0 or greater and a water factor (WF) of 6.0 or less. The MEF is a measure of energy efficiency that takes into account the electric energy, the energy to heat the water, and the size of the tub. The WF is a measure of how much water a particular model uses related to the capacity of the machine.

The latest design in energy-saving laundry appliances is known as the High-Efficiency (HE) washer. Nearly all HE washers are front-loaders and have several advantages over less-efficient versions:

• Use less water. Because they tumble clothes rather than agitate them, HE washers can use up to 75 percent less water than a standard washer.

• Use less hot water. Using less water means using less hot water, which saves the energy to heat the water.
• Wring out more water. A spin rate of up to 2,000 rpm removes much more water, and a moisture sensor limits the spin time. Less water at the end of the wash means less energy needed to dry the clothes.
• Are gentler on clothes. The tumble action is easier on clothes than a typical agitator.
• Requires a special HE detergent. Because of how an HE washer operates regular detergent will over-suds and not work properly. Buy only HE detergent and follow instructions carefully.

Guidance to buying ENERGY STAR-certified residential clothes washers is available on the ENERGY STAR website. Many utilities offer rebates for ENERGY STAR clothes washers and other high efficiency appliances; visit dsireusa.org or check directly with your utility. Also, check out pages 54-56 of the Home Energy Guide (pdf) for information on laundry equipment.