Styles of Washing Machines
Save Energy
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.
Styles 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.
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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. |
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 and choose machines with an ENERGY STAR® label. .
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.
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