Building Green Homes

Washing Machines

     On average, each American family washes 300 loads of laundry each year (that is about three loads each week), and the average washing machine uses 41 gallons of water per load.  Water efficient machines use 35-50% less water than standard machines.  In order to save water and money look for a washing machine with a low water factor.  A water factor is the number of gallons of water per cubic foot the clothes machine uses per cycle.  The lower the water factor, the higher the efficiency.  For example, if a washing machine uses 12 gallons of water per cycle and a volume of 3 cubic feet, then the water factor would be 4.  (24 footnote)

     Energy Star labeled washing machines use up to 20% less energy and 35% less water than standard machines.  Energy Star machines also have greater tub capacity, which allows people to wash the same amount of laundry in fewer loads.   The U.S. Energy Information Agency conducted a study in 2009 stating that 36% of U.S. households had Energy Star certified washing machines.  These households have saved 30 billion KWHs and 110 trillion BTUs of energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 million metric tons.  [1]

[1] Energy Star, "Product Retrospective: Clothes Washer, 2012