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Washing Machines
Clothes washers use energy, most of which (typically over 90%) is for water heating. If you reduce the water temperature and the amount of water used, you will save energy.
If you are making a new purchase, consider a horizontal-axis washer as this design uses less water. The reason is a top-loading washer tub must be filled in order for the clothes to be kept wet. To clean the clothes, an agitator then tumbles the clothes in the water. A front-loading washer needs less water and there is no need for an agitator because the tub rotates to tumble the clothes in the water.
Washing Machine Efficiency
Before making a purchase, check the EnergyGuide labels. This label must be on all new washers. These labels will give you some idea of how much energy is used by that model washer. Keep in mind smaller models tend to show less energy use but they may not be large enough to meet your needs or cause you to have more loads to run and end up using more energy in the long run.
Washing Machine Temperatures
The best energy strategy for clothes washers is a machine that offers multiple choices of wash and rinse cycles.
With pre-soaking and cold- or warm- water detergents, most clothes will be cleaned sufficiently, and cold-water washing can be used in many cases. Badly stained clothes may need a stain stick as well as a hot water wash cycle to get them clean. Depending on your personal experiences, you may have to try different combinations of detergents and cycles until you are pleased with the results. If your settings permit, always use cold-water rinses as they do the job adequately.
Washing Machine Water Level
If your washer has a load size control, be sure to use it as the energy use varies directly with the amount of heated water used. Some later models do this automatically. The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates clothes washers use 35 to 40 gallons of water for a complete load.
Use a Reduced Water Temperature
A water heater temperature setting of 120°F is suitable for the needs of most homes. The only possible exception might be for dishwashing, however most dishwashers have a booster heater.
This reduced hot water temperature setting on your water heater will not only save energy with your washing machine but also will reduce the energy used for everything else that uses hot water.
Use Full Washer Loads
Washing with full loads in the machine uses less energy per pound of laundry. Your washer's instruction book will indicate the machine's design capacity. Try weighing a few loads until you have the feel for what is a full load. Even with controls that sense the load size, more energy will be used per pound for undersized loads than with a full load.
Laundry Tips
- Wash your clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents whenever possible.
- Otherwise, use the WARM wash setting. HOT wash is needed only for a few items, such as to kill dust mites in bedding or for diapers or greasy work clothes.
- Wash and dry full loads. If you must wash a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting.
- Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.
- Don't over-dry your clothes. If your washer has a moisture sensor, use it.
- Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation.
- Use the cool-down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.
- Periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material, not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages.
