Clean Clothes, Lower Bills: Your Guide to Choosing an Energy-Efficient Washer

A washing machine is one of the hardest-working appliances in any home, but it can also be a major consumer of energy and water. By choosing an energy-efficient model, you can significantly reduce your utility bills and lessen your environmental impact without sacrificing cleaning performance. Here’s what you need to look for when shopping for a new washer.

Look for the ENERGY STAR® Label

This is the single most important factor. The ENERGY STAR label is a government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. To earn the label, washing machines must meet strict criteria for both energy and water consumption. On average, an ENERGY STAR certified washer uses about 25% less energy and 33% less water than a standard model. This can save you hundreds of dollars over the lifetime of the appliance.

Front-Load vs. Top-Load: The Efficiency Battle

The design of the washer plays a huge role in its efficiency.

Front-Load Washers

Front-load machines are the clear winners in energy and water efficiency. They use a tumbling action to clean clothes, which requires significantly less water than the agitator-based system of traditional top-loaders. Because they use less water, they also use less energy to heat that water. They also have higher spin speeds, which extract more water from clothes, leading to shorter and more energy-efficient drying times.

High-Efficiency (HE) Top-Load Washers

If you prefer the ergonomics of a top-loader, an HE model is a great choice. These machines don't have a central agitator. Instead, they use an impeller—a low-profile plate at the bottom—to move clothes through a smaller amount of water. They are much more efficient than traditional top-loaders but generally use slightly more water and energy than front-loaders.

Key Features That Boost Efficiency

Beyond the basic model type, look for these specific features:

  • Load Sensing: An automatic load-sensing feature adjusts the amount of water used based on the size of the laundry load. This prevents the machine from using a full tub of water for a small number of items.
  • High Spin Speeds: A higher RPM (revolutions per minute) spin cycle will remove more water from your clothes. This dramatically reduces the time and energy your dryer needs to finish the job—and the dryer is typically the more energy-intensive appliance.
  • Specialized Cycles: Look for cycles like 'Eco' or 'Cold Wash'. Washing clothes in cold water is the most significant way to save energy, as about 90% of the energy used by a washing machine goes to heating the water. Modern detergents are formulated to clean effectively in cold water.

Understanding Capacity

Choosing the right size washer for your household can also impact efficiency. A machine that’s too large means you'll be running smaller, less-efficient loads. A machine that's too small means you'll be running more loads. A standard capacity washer (around 4.5 cubic feet) is usually sufficient for a family of four.

By investing in an ENERGY STAR certified washer with the right features for your needs, you’re making a smart choice for your wallet and the planet. You'll get sparkling clean clothes while enjoying lower energy and water bills for years to come.