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Energy Trust Home > Home Energy Solutions > ENERGY STAR Products  > Choosing a Product > Clothes Washers

CLOTHES WASHERS

ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers soak up the savings month after month by using less energy and water – saving you on your energy costs. Choosing an ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer is easy – look for both front loading and top loading washers that carry the ENERGY STAR label.

Why buy an ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer?

Through superior design and system features, ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers clean clothes using 50% less energy than standard washers. Full-sized washers use up to 25 gallons of water per load, compared to the 40 gallons used by a conventional model. Over a year, water saved adds up to as much as 6,000 gallons – that's more water than the average person drinks in a lifetime!

ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers also extract more water from clothes during the spin cycle, reducing the amount of drying time necessary. This saves energy and wear and tear on your clothes.

See information on our ENERGY STAR clothes washer promotion to see how you can get cash back on your new premium efficiency ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer.

Tips for Choosing an ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer

When you begin shopping for a new ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer, here are some things to remember:

• Choose a size that meets your household needs. Most manufacturers today have models that have earned the ENERGY STAR label. The sizes vary, ranging from 1.6 to 3.8 cubic feet. You can even get ENERGY STAR qualified models that are stackable or fit under the counter, for smaller spaces.
• Select a clothes washer that offers several water level options. This allows you to adjust the water level to more closely match the load size.
• Consider a model that offers a “mini-basket.” This small tub that fits over the agitator allows you to wash very small loads.
• Look for pre-soaking and suds-saver options. Both features conserve energy.
• Pick a machine with faster spin cycles. Faster spin cycles can extract more water, reducing drying time and energy use.
• Choose a premium efficiency ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer. Energy efficiency levels of ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers vary. To get the very highest level of efficiency, saving you the most on your energy consumption, look for premium efficiency washers. These clothes washers have a Modified Energy Factor (MEF)* of 2.0 or higher. List of qualified clothes washers with their MEF.

Visit the national ENERGY STAR website for more information on ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers.

*MEF is the efficiency rating for clothes washers. It is based on the level of electricity used by the washer and the amount of dryer energy required to remove the remaining moisture content from clothes.