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What should I look for when buying a Clothes Washer?
Check the yellow EnergyGuide label
Use this label to determine the model's energy use, compare the energy use of similar models, and estimate annual operating costs. Learn How to Use the Federal Trade Commission’s EnergyGuide Label and the Difference Between the Energy Guide and ENERGY STAR.
Think carefully about the size.
ENERGY STAR certified models are available in various product widths and drum capacities. Think about where you want to place your clothes washer and whether you typically run small or large loads. ENERGY STAR certified models are also available in stackable, under-the-counter designs, and combination washer-dryer designs which fit in smaller spaces.
Save the most by choosing a model with a high Integrated Modified Energy Factor (IMEF) and a low Integrated Water Factor (IWF).
Integrated Modified Energy Factor (IMEF) is a measure of energy efficiency that considers the energy used by the washer during the cycle and while on standby, the energy used to heat the water, and the energy used to run the dryer. The higher the IMEF, the more energy efficient the clothes washer.
Integrated Water Factor (IWF) is a measure of water efficiency in gallons of water consumed per cubic foot of capacity. The lower the IWF, the more water efficient the clothes washer. Both IMEF and IWF are provided for each model listed in the ENERGY STAR Product Finder.
Consider the benefits of front load
ENERGY STAR certified front load washers use about 45% less energy and 50% less water than a top load agitator washer. In the past decade or so, top load impeller washers, which have a low-profile cone or disc instead of an agitator, have become popular as a more energy- and water-efficient option compared to traditional top load washers. However, compared to a top load impeller washer, front load washers are still about 25% more energy and water efficient.
In recent years, clothes washer technology has seen dramatic improvements in efficiency and functionality. Selecting an ENERGY STAR certified washer gets you all these premium features and functionality, with the following additional benefits:
- Get a shower of water savings.
New ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers use advanced technology to dramatically reduce water use. Full-sized washers that have earned the ENERGY STAR use 14 gallons of water per load, compared to the 20 gallons used by a standard machine. - Long live your clothes
Clothes washers with agitators can be rough on your clothes and put them through extra wear and tear. ENERGY STAR clothes washers have sophisticated wash systems that use a variety of methods to lift and tumble your laundry, lengthening the life of often-washed items. Additionally, because they are so gentle, many models can safely clean silk, wool, and other hand-washables. - Take time out.
Without a bulky agitator, there is more usable space in the washer for laundry — especially larger items like comforters. More capacity means fewer loads of laundry each week. What will you do with your extra time? - Save the environment.
More than 60% percent of U.S. electricity is generated by burning coal and natural gas, which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change. ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers use less energy and help us reduce our impact on the environment. By reducing water consumption, they also put less strain on limited water resources. Learn more about other ways to save water with EPA's WaterSense.
ENERGY STAR Most Efficient
Products that are recognized as ENERGY STAR Most Efficient deliver cutting edge energy efficiency along with the latest in technological innovation. They represent the very best for energy savings and environmental protection. Click the Most Efficient filter to find recognized models.
How Do I Choose the Right Type of Clothes Dryer?
Choose the Right Size for Your Capacity Needs
- If you are replacing a dryer, consider how much laundry you dry each week.
- Drying too large of a load will cause it to take longer to dry. The drum needs to be large enough to allow a full load from the washer to tumble freely, with enough space left over for hot air to circulate.
- Too small of a load can cause problems, too. Drying a single towel for 30 minutes will cost about as much as drying a full load for the same time. Smaller loads can take longer to dry without benefit of the tumbling effect of a full load.
- It is a bit easier if you are buying both a matching washer and dryer - manufacturers normally design these pairs to work together with the same sized load.
Choose a model with a high Combined Energy Factor (CEF)
Combined Energy Factor (CEF) is a measure of energy efficiency that reflects the energy use of the clothes dryer - the higher the CEF, the more energy efficient the clothes dryers. You can find and compare the CEF for all certified dryer models using the ENERGY STAR Product Finder.
Increasing Functionality and Performance
ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryers incorporate the following advanced features:
- Sensors to Detect When Clothes Are Dry - ENERGY STAR clothes dryers save energy by using automatic termination to help detect when your clothes are dry. This feature also prevents wear and tear on your clothes from over-drying.
- Low Heat Setting - ENERGY STAR clothes dryers use lower temperatures than standard clothes dryers, generally.
- Delayed Start – Delay start gives you the option of setting the dryer to begin according to your schedule. In some cases, delaying the start of the dryer could save energy costs if your utility offers time of use (TOU) pricing.
- Steam Cycles - Many ENERGY STAR dryers also include convenient features, such as a steam cycle that can help save time on ironing clothes by preventing wrinkles.
Heat Pump Dryers
For even more savings, consider ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryers - they use almost 30% less energy than a conventional clothes dryers. Consumers with high clothes dryer usage and high electricity rates have the potential for large energy and cost savings.
A heat pump dryer works as a closed loop system by heating the air and using it to remove moisture from the clothes, then reusing that air it once the moisture is removed. Rather than releasing moist air through a dryer vent to the exterior of the home as a conventional dryer does, a heat pump dryer passes humid air in the dryer drum through a condenser to remove the moisture without losing too much heat. The condensed moisture (water) from the drum is drained or emptied out of a holding tank in the dryer. Watch this video to see a heat pump dryer in action (link is external).
When considering a heat pump model, keep in mind:
- Initial Cost vs. Ongoing Savings – Clothes dryers, like all products that use energy, have two price tags: 1) the initial cost of the product at the time of purchase, and 2) the cost of energy to operate that product over its lifetime. For a higher initial purchase, a heat pump model can save more energy and money with each load.
- Venting – Since a heat pump dryer does not release air through a home’s exterior, there is no need for a dryer vent. For homes without an existing vent, a heat pump dryer can offer a significant cost savings during installation, since the investment in putting in a new vent is not needed.
- Water Drainage – A heat pump dryer’s condenser removes moisture from the air during the drying process, resulting in water that needs to be drained. If installation of a drain for the water is not feasible, a water tank will need to be emptied after each dryer load. Many manufacturers sell a device that allows heat pump dryers in some configurations to use the clothes washer drain to remove the water.
- Consider selecting a clothes dryer with a lower Global Warming Potential refrigerant - Heat pump dryers use refrigerants. Refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP) for clothes dryers include R-290. Selecting an ENERGY STAR certified model with a lower GWP refrigerant means your product will have a much lower impact on the climate if the refrigerant is released into the environment. The GWP compares the warming power of a substance to an equivalent amount of CO2 (GWP = 1 for CO2). Some refrigerants are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are powerful greenhouse gases with GWPs hundreds or thousands of times higher than CO2. Select the filter below to find heat pump dryers that contain refrigerants with a lower impact on global warming.
ENERGY STAR Most Efficient
Products that are recognized as ENERGY STAR Most Efficient deliver cutting edge energy efficiency along with the latest in technological innovation. They represent the very best for energy savings and environmental protection. Click the Most Efficient filter to find recognized models. Typically, Most Efficient models employ Heat Pump technology.