Tips for choosing an efficient clothes washer

More than 95% of households in Australia own a clothes washer. Clothes washers are used on average about 7 times per week, although this varies considerably by household.

The standard energy labelling test for clothes washers specifies a warm wash and therefore the majority of the energy shown on the label is for heating the water. So choosing a model that has a low water consumption saves energy and water!

The two main types of clothes washers are drum type machines (usually called front loaders) and agitator or impeller machines (often called top loaders). Each has advantages and disadvantages, but drum machines are usually more energy and water efficient.

This web site and the energy label show energy consumption, energy star rating and water consumption for clothes washers (see the interactive list of all the clothes washers that are on the market). The water efficiency of clothes washers is shown in the form of a star rating on the water rating label (WELS scheme) which is now mandatory for display in store showrooms. The WELS website contains a database of water star ratings for all clothes washers.

Top loader or front loader? There are a number of things to consider before making your choice - the decision is not always straight forward, especially if you do many load in one washing session (eg family with small children) and prefer cold washing:

Top loaders

Generally faster washing times (typically 30-45 minutes)
Generally use more water which means, that on a warm wash, they use more energy
Wear and tear on clothes is harsher (especially impeller types)
Usually less expensive to purchase (although not always)
Generally have a range of cold washing options
Generally have hot and cold water connection (this is cheaper to operate for a warm wash if you have a gas, off peak or solar water heater).

Front loaders

Generally slower washing times (typically 60-90 minutes)
Generally use less water which means that on a warm wash they use less energy (this is particularly important if you don't have mains water connection)
Much more gentle on clothes and usually wash better (although all washers have to meet minimum wash performance standards)
Can be more expensive to purchase (although not always)
Many have only single cold connect (internal water heating) which means water is heater using day rate electricity (some have limited cold water washing options and/or hot and cold connections).

Other issues to consider:

Select the size you need. A larger machine than necessary will cost more and will probably use more energy than is necessary. Look for a model that has automatic load sensing and water level adjustment - this will ensure that the minimum amount of water and energy is used for each load, even when you need to wash a small load. At least make sure that there is a variable water level so that you can wash small loads efficiently.

Select a model that can wash in cold water. Although the washing performance is generally reduced when you use cold water, you typically save 80% to 90% of the energy. Even if you only use cold water washing half of the time, you will be saving nearly half the energy. Ensuring that there is a cold rinse option for all of the common programs is also important.

Spin performance is important, especially if you dry some or all of your loads in a clothes dryer. There are good and bad spin performers in both top and front loading models, so check the spin performance on the web site for those models you are considering.

Look for a machine that has both a hot and cold water connection - if you use solar, gas or off peak electric hot water, the total cost of energy will be greatly reduced for those loads which you do wash on a warm setting. Internal water heating is generally more expensive, although front loading machines use less water and less energy overall, so the cost differential is not that great.

Suds saver options are important for those areas where water supplies are limited and there can be energy savings as well.

Saving Energy when using a clothes washer
Show me the award winning clothes washers
Show me all the clothes washers that are on the market

This page last modified 05 July 2007