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Clothes Washers

ENERGY STAR® qualified clothes washers use half the amount of water than standard washers, saving between 8,000 – 11,000 gallons per year. They are also cheaper to operate, use up to 30% less energy than standard models, and can save up to $25 in energy cost annually. Due to no agitator, clothes experience less wear and tear and fewer wrinkles. Drying time is also reduced by extracting more water from the clothes during the spin cycle.

Facts & Product Knowledge:

• The higher the Modified Energy Factor (MEF), the more efficient the clothes washer. ENERGY STAR clothes washers have a MEF rating of 1.72 or greater.
• The Water Factor (WF) of a clothes washer refers to the gallons per cycle per cubic foot -- the lower the WF, the better. ENERGY STAR clothes washers have a WF rating of 8.0 or less.
• Average spin speed for a front load clothes washer is up to 3 times faster than a standard top load clothes washer.

Tips:

• Always wash full loads on the cold water setting.
• Choose a model size that meets your household needs.
• Choose a model with a low water factor, several water level options or a “mini basket” that allows you to wash very small loads.

Clothes Dryers

• Always dry full loads or set the timer to match the size of the load.
• Don’t over-dry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it! It will automatically shut the machine off when the clothes are dry.
• Clean out the lint filter after every load to improve air circulation.
• Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.
• Use the cool-down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.
• In a timely manner, 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.
• Air-dry clothes on clothes lines or drying racks whenever possible.
• If your clothes washer has spin options, choose a high spin speed or extended spin option to reduce the amount of remaining moisture, thus starting the drying process before you put your clothes in the dryer.