Energy Efficient Clothes Washers Deliver Money And Energy Savings

Another eligible purchase on your 203k Streamline Mortgage includes appliances; more specifically, a washer and/or dryer.

Are you washing your home energy budget down the drain?  Well, the solution to that could be as simple as replacing your old clothes washer with a new ENERGY STAR qualified one!

ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers use half the amount of water of standard washers, saving between 8,000 – 11,000 gallons of water per year. They are also cheaper to operate and use up to 30% less energy than standard models.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if your washer is over 10 years old, replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer can save you up to $135 per year on your energy bill.

Technological innovations of ENERGY STAR clothes washers provide a homeowner not only with money and energy savings, but also with superior performance.

ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers are available in either front-load or re-designed top-load models.

When buying a clothes washer from a retailer, request an ENERGY STAR qualified model to ensure that you will realize the greatest savings.

There are other ways to decrease your “clothes washing energy expense and usage” other than purchasing a new washer. Here are some suggestions.

• Wash in cold water. Water heating consumes about 90% of the energy it takes to operate a clothes washer.
• Unless you’re dealing with oily stains, washing in cold water will generally do a good job of cleaning. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut energy use in half.
• Fill it up. Clothes washers use about the same amount of energy regardless of the size of the load, so run full loads whenever possible. Be careful not to overload, however. Both overloading and under loading wastes energy and decreases the efficiency of your washer.
• Air-drying clothes instead of using a dryer not only saves energy, but also helps them last longer.
• Avoid the sanitary cycle. This super hot cycle, available on some models, uses significantly more energy.
• Activate the high spin speed option. If your clothes washer has spin options, choose a high spin speed or the extended spin option to reduce the amount of remaining moisture in your clothes after washing. This decreases the amount of time it takes to dry your clothes.
• Leave the door open after use. Front-loading washers use airtight seals to prevent water from leaking while the machine is in use. When the machine is not in use, this seal can trap moisture in the machine and lead to mold. Leave the door ajar for an hour or two after use to allow moisture to evaporate. Make sure children do not climb into the machine while the door is open.

About the Author

Brian Paterson, VP and CEO

New Buffalo Impact

Paterson’s company, New Buffalo Impact, conducts a comprehensive WholeHouse Energy Audit and performs the necessary home energy improvement work.

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