Washing machines are typically responsible for more of the cost of hot water than any other appliance. However, washing machines have become more efficient in recent years; the past 10 years have seen efficiency gains of almost 20%, and improvements in detergents have led to greater use of cold water washes and rinses, significantly reducing energy consumption. There are over 80 million clothes washers in U.S. homes. A clothes washer in a typical household uses about 15,000 gallons of water per year or roughly 15% of the total household consumption.

Types of Washing Machines
Vertical axis washing machines make up over 95% of the market in the U.S. Less than 5% are horizontal axis machines, but their popularity is rising. Along with energy and water savings, manufacturers of horizontal axis washing machines also report that their machines use less detergent, wash more completely, reduce wear and tear on clothes, and spin dry clothes more effectively so that shorter drying cycles are required. A typical vertical axis washing machine uses 40 gallons of water to wash and rinse clothes. Roughly half of the water is used for the wash cycle and half for the rinse cycle. Compare this to a similar horizontal axis machine that uses 27 gallons of water. While the water used by a vertical axis machine is divided evenly between wash and rinse, a horizontal axis machine uses less water for the wash cycle, which typically uses more hot water than the rinse cycle. Therefore, depending on temperature selection, horizontal axis washers will often reduce hot water usage by 70%. Of course, if you use entirely cold water for washing and rinsing (which arguably washes clothes as effectively as warm water), then a horizontal axis washer will not save any hot water. However, there still remains the benefit of reduced water consumption as well as the cost of water and wastewater disposal (plus the other benefits noted above). A typical family of four can expect to reduce water consumption by roughly 5,000 gallons annually using a horizontal axis washer. At the national rate of $2.84/1,000 gallons of water, this amounts to savings of $14 for water alone! In areas with high water costs, the savings can be significant.

Most washing machines are a standard size of about 28 inches wide, with a maximum capacity of roughly 40 gallons. There are also compact units, often designed to be stacked on top of dryers to save space. Such units are popular in apartments. Combination washer-dryers, which are a washer and dryer in one unit, are also well suited for smaller spaces. Today’s washing machines offer a variety of options with respect to the number and type of cycles. Although the choices can be confusing, different fabrics do require varying washing conditions for optimum cleaning. There has also been a reduction in noise levels for many models, important for machines located in kitchen areas. When selecting a new washing machine, these are among the issues to consider along with cost, capacity, and energy efficiency.

Horizontal-axis Washers

The way we do laundry has changed over the past few years due to the market premiere of the energy-efficient and water saving clothes washer—the horizontal-axis washer. Most American homes currently use the conventional vertical-axis washing machine that uses a circulating agitator that churns and scrubs clothes clean. For proper cleaning, the water level in the tub must reach the level of the clothes. One full load of laundry in a vertical-axis uses approximately 40 gallons of water. By switching to a horizontal-axis washer, a typical household can save significant amounts of energy, water, and money. Horizontal-axis machines only need to be partially filled, consuming only one-third of the water that a typical vertical-axis washer uses.

These energy-efficient washers rotate on a horizontal-axis tumbling the clothes gently in and out of water. This tumbling action actually extends the life of the clothing by making them look neater for a longer period of time. The key is the absence of the agitator whose churning action tangles and twists the laundry causing more wear and tear on the clothing. In addition, studies have found that the horizontal-axis washer cleans clothes better since more detergent is rinsed from the clothing.

When it is time to buy a new washing machine, there are two price tags to consider: the purchase price of the appliance and the operating cost of the appliance over its lifetime. Currently, horizontal-axis washing machines are more expensive to purchase than vertical-axis washers. However, the savings you'll enjoy with lower operating costs can pay for the added expense of the energy-efficient washer in as little as three years, depending on the make and model you choose.

Several horizontal-axis washers available on the market today are ENERGY STAR® certified and carry the ENERGY STAR® logo—the symbol of energy-efficiency. ENERGY STAR® washing machines use less energy than other washers, saving you money on your utility bills, and helping you protect the environment. If you see the ENERGY STAR® logo, you have the confidence of knowing that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the washer you are about to purchase.

As horizontal-axis washers continue to emerge in the marketplace, they will change the way you look at laundry. This means great savings for you: save 36% on water, save 60% on your energy use in two ways. First, since horizontal-axis washers use less water, that means less energy is needed to heat the water. And the higher spin cycle extracts more water, which means less time in the dryer.

Save Energy
Like dishwashers, much of the cost—up to 90%—of operating washing machines is associated with the energy needed to heat the water. Washing only full loads is good rule of thumb for reducing hot-water consumption in clothes washers. As you would for dishwashers, consult the EnergyGuide labels when shopping for a new washing machine. Inefficient washing machines can cost three times as much to operate as efficient machines. Select a machine that allows you to adjust the water temperature and water levels for the size of the load. Smaller capacity washing machines often have better EnergyGuide ratings. However, a reduced capacity might cause you to increase the number of loads you wash and possibly increase your energy costs.