CLOTHES WASHERS & DRYERS
Clothes Washing Machines
Horizontal-axis washing machines are putting a new spin on laundry, literally. By tumbling clothes like a dryer, rather than agitating clothes like a conventional tub-and-agitator machine, horizontal-axis machines use significantly less water and energy to do the same job as conventional machines! Horizontal-axis washers, common in commercial laundries and in Europe, are usually loaded from a door in the front and are often called front-loading washers.
Clothes are placed in a horizontally-oriented stainless steel drum as opposed to a vertically-oriented conventional tub with central agitator. Horizontal-axis washing machines are partially filled with water and cleaning action occurs as clothes are tumbled through the pool of water at the bottom of the tub. They use less energy than conventional washing machines mainly because they use less hot water. Because of the high RPM at which they spin, the machines extract a high level of water from clothes, thereby reducing drying time.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, horizontal-axis washing machines can use about 40 percent less water and 50 percent less energy than conventional washers, cause less wear and tear on clothes, and can accommodate large items that won't fit in a top-loader. A typical top-loading washer uses about 40 gallons of water per full load. In contrast, a full-size horizontal axis clothes washer uses between 20 and 25 gallons.
Operational Cost
By saving water, energy, and laundry soap, the operating cost for horizontal-axis washing machines can be considerably less than top-loading machines. The estimated annual utility bill savings for a family of four is about $75 to $100 plus any additional savings associated with shorter drying time and reduced detergent use.
Many qualified clothes washers also have a greater capacity than conventional models, meaning fewer loads of laundry.
The average American family washes almost 400 loads of laundry each year. It's a good thing families can cut their related energy costs by about a third - and the water costs by more than half - just by purchasing a clothes washer with the ENERGY STAR label.
- Over the life of your new ENERGY STAR qualified washer, you'll save enough money in operating costs to pay for the matching dryer. With your water savings, you could fill three backyard swimming pools.
- Is your washer over 10 years old? Replace it with a new ENERGY STAR qualified washer and you could save $135 each year on your utility bills. That's like getting your High Efficiency (HE) detergent free year round.
Clothes Washer Tips
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.
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. Using the cold cycle reduces energy use even more.
Use a drying rack or hang clothes outside! Where and when possible, air-drying clothes instead of using a dryer not only saves energy, but also helps them last longer.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.
CLOTHES DRYERS
ENERGY STAR does not label clothes dryers because there is little difference in energy use among models. Here are some ways to reduce energy consumption when using your clothes dryer:
· Use the moisture sensor option. Many new clothes dryers come designed with a moisture sensor, which automatically shuts off the machine when clothes are dry. Not only will this save energy, but it will also save wear and tear on your clothes caused by over-drying.
· Clean the lint filter. Cleaning the filter after every load will improve air circulation and increase the efficiency of the dryer. It’s also an important safety measure.
· Scrub the lint filter regularly if you use dryer sheets. Dryer sheets can leave a film on the filter that reduces air flow and, over time, can affect the performance of the motor. Use a toothbrush to scrub it clean once a month.
