Laundry
Clothes Washers
Compared to a 10-year old model, an ENERGY STAR qualified washer can save up to $120 per year on your utility bills.
Earning the ENERGY STAR means a product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.
- Through superior design and system features, ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers clean clothes using 50% less energy than standard washers.
- Full-sized ENERGY STAR qualified washers use 18-25 gallons of water per load, compared to the 40 gallons used by a standard machine.
- ENERGY STAR qualified washers extract more water from clothes during the spin cycle. This reduces the drying time and saves energy and wear and tear on your clothes.
- Two clothes washer designs carry the ENERGY STAR: top loading and front loading.
Top-loading models look like conventional machines from the outside, but these ENERGY STAR qualified washers use different types of washing action to get clothes clean with less water and energy. Many have sensors to monitor incoming water temperature closely. They also rinse clothes with repeated high-pressure spraying instead of soaking them in a full tub of water.
Front-loading models are similar to machines used in laundromats. They use a horizontal or tumble-axis basket to lift and drop clothing into the water instead of rubbing clothes around a central agitator. Both top-loading and front-loading ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers save water and energy. They also use faster spin speeds to extract more water from clothes, reducing dryer time and energy use.
For both models, check to see if you need to use special detergent. Low-water washers use special low-suds detergent for best results.
Clothes Dryers
Clothes Dryers have not received as much attention as washing machines in regards to energy conservation. All newer dryers have auto sensors to shut off the dryer when the load is dry, but it takes a given amount of heat energy to drive off moisture.
Washing machines wring more water from the load, which reduces the required drying energy. Some manufacturers will therefore claim improved energy efficiency for their dryers when used in combination with their washing machine.
Dryers are either gas or electric heat. Because electric is more expensive on a BTU basis than natural gas (in most areas), natural gas dryers are less expensive to operate than electric dryers.
More Information
See the ENERGY STAR web site at www.energystar.gov for a complete list of ENERGY STAR approved appliances.
See ENERGY STAR approved appliances at the Amana web site at www.amana.com