How to Buy an Energy Efficient Washing Machine

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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You may not realize it, but doing your laundry is one of the biggest energy eaters in your home. It requires a lot of energy to heat the water used to wash your clothes, and even more energy to dry it. If you buy an energy efficient washing machine, however, you can see a dramatic difference in your month to month energy costs. There are a few things to consider when you plan on buying new appliances, which are outlined below.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Buy a front loading washing machine. They are more expensive in terms of initial cost, but they're increased capacity makes it possible to do larger loads at once. The fewer loads you have to do, the less energy you burn overall. Front loaders are also preferable because since the clothing is able to tumble freely as a result of gravity, less water is needed per load.

Step2

Find a washing machine with a higher spin speed. A more powerful motor that is capable of siphoning off more water from your clothing during the spin cycle will help limit the need for longer dryer intervals.

Step3

Buy a washing machine that doesn't have a central agitator. Agitators burn a lot of energy during a wash cycle. Newer front-loading washing machines almost never have a central agitator, but some top loading models may.

Step4

Find a washing machine that includes a sensor to automatically determine the laundry load's size. These sensors can be great tools for helping you use only an appropriate amount of water per load, saving a fortune in water costs.

Step5

Complete a thorough cost comparison on the washing machines you are interested in. By calculating the monthly costs for each model, you can determine which, over the long term, will add up to the largest savings. Also, consider how long it will take for the washing machine to "pay for itself," effectively returning to you in savings the upfront cost of having the washing machine installed.

Tips & Warnings

Buy a washing machine that is independent of a dryer. While combo units are great when it comes to saving space, they are often smaller than needed by even a moderately sized family, which increases the number of times you need to run the machines.
Only buy a washing machine from a reputable source. While it's not always the case, there have been instances where less than honorable dealers have placed false Energy Star labels on appliances in an effort to boost sales.