Tips for buying laundry appliances
[edit] Tumble driers
There is not an ENERGY STAR label for clothes dryers because most dryers use similar amounts of energy, based on a detailed study by the Department of Energy's Appliance Standards. This is also the reason why the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) does not require clothes dryers to have a yellow EnergyGuide label. Europe however have ratings for dryers.
If you are a moderate to heavy user of a drier, consider a drier that runs on gas. Although gas driers are more expensive to buy and install, they are cheaper to run, dry clothes more quickly and produce less greenhouse pollution than electric dryers. Heat pump dryers are also more expensive to buy but are cheap to run so result in energy and cost savings in the long run.
Look for external venting or condensing models to shorten drying time. Make sure that venting system behind dryer is not damaged or crushed.
A vented dryer pushes hot damp air out a vent, while a condenser dryer turns the steam into water, which then needs to be manually emptied out. While vented dryers are cheaper and more reliable, they do need to be vented through an open window to function properly, something that can be difficult if it is winter. A condenser, on the other hand, can be put anywhere, and if you have a good one, there will be no steam escaping into the room at all. Some condenser dryers can leak damp air into your laundry room and cause mold or water damage, in addition to needing their reservoir emptied from time to time.
You can reduce your dryer's energy use by choosing a model with a moisture sensor. This feature automatically shuts off the machine when clothes are dry, which saves energy and reduces wear and tear on your clothes caused by over-drying.
Look for the range of fabric or temperature settings available to match the type of load with the drying needed.
Know the what and how in installing the dryer and the vent system. Most manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which provides maximum airflow. The flexible plastic or foil type duct can more easily trap lint and is more susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the airflow.
You cannot use a dryer for the following items:
- Items made of foam, rubber, plastic, or other heat-sensitive fabrics (such as bathroom rugs or non-slip mats)
- Glass fiber materials (unless manufacturer's instructions permit).
- Any item that has ever had any type of oil or other flammable liquid on it (such as cooking oil, alcohol, gasoline, spot removers, drycleaning solvents, etc.)
- Any item which the dryer manufacturer's instructions specifically state "dry away from heat."
[edit] Washing machines
You cut energy costs by more than a third - and the water costs by more than half - just by purchasing a clothes washer with the ENERGY STAR label. To see a list of Energy Star qualified washers, visit this EnergyStar.gov page. In the European Union, the equivalent lavel is the European Eco-Label.
According the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' Market Transformation Programme (MTP), the energy (kwh) consumed by different energy rated washing machines per cycle is as follows:
| Wash Temperature | A rating | B rating | C rating | D rating | E rating | F rating | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 C | 1.22 | 1.46 | 1.59 | 1.72 | 1.85 | 1.98 | ||||||
| 60 C | 0.94 | 1.12 | 1.23 | 1.34 | 1.47 | 1.60 | ||||||
| 40 C | 0.56 | 0.67 | 0.74 | 0.79 | 0.85 | 0.91 |
To view comparative data on energy consumption, read this FTC.gov page.
Compare the bright yellow Energy Guide labels to see which models run most efficiently. The standard energy labelling test for clothes washers is based on a warm wash, so the majority of the energy shown on the label is used for heating the water. The European Union has the EU Energy label.
Most ENERGY STAR qualified commercial washers are designed without an agitator, which results in a gentler wash than conventional top-load washers with agitators. New systems gently flip and spin clothes through a reduced stream of water. This lengthens the life of often-washed items. Because they are so gentle, many models can safely clean silk, wool and other hand-washables.
Some ENERGY STAR qualified commercial washers include web-linking technologies with notification abilities, allowing you to know exactly when a washer is free as well as the precise moment to move clothes from the washer to the dryer.
To locate Energy Star products in the US, use the Energy Star store locator or the Energy Star Partner Rebate Finder.
Top-loaders wash the clothes with an agitator that turns on a vertical axis. The tub also spins the clothes dry on a vertical axis. Front-loaders work by tumbling the clothes and then spin-drying them in a tub that rotates on a horizontal axis. There are some exceptions, of course. There are horizontal-axis machine that loads from the top and machine with an axis that is between vertical and horizontal. Machines with horizontal axis washers are able to remove more water from clothes.
Top loaders generally have faster washing times (typically 30-45 minutes), but use more water which means that on a warm wash they use more energy.
Older clothes washers use larger amounts of hot water, and larger amounts of water overall. Today's clothes washers use smaller amounts, saving both energy and water. However, longer cycle times are often needed to clean the clothes effectively.
Typically, front-loaders use less water — from one-third to one-half the amount that top-loaders require. The clothes tumble in the tub, rising above the water and then falling back into it as the tub rolls on its side. Because less water is used, less gas or electricity is required to heat the water; because the machines spin faster, clothes get wrung out more completely, reducing the cost of running a clothes dryer. They are also gentler on clothes than top loaders. Horizontal-axis washers (front-loaders) have one major drawback: They can cost more than vertical-axis machines. Still, with the energy savings they provide, front-loaders may save you money in the long run.
Efficient motors spin clothes two to three times faster during the spin cycle to extract more water. Less moisture in the clothes means less time and energy in the dryer.
Washer-dryer combo units saves space but are are more expensive than a typical washer or dryer. Typically, they are front loaders, easy to install, portable, and comes with automatic sensors and moderate load capacities. A typical washer combo has a maximum of 15 pounds of capacity compared to bigger models that are capable of up to 20 pounds. Rather than use heat to evaporate the water from the clothes, washer/dryer combos use condensation.
Another disadvantage to washer combos is that they need more time to dry your clothes because the drum needs to be dried first before the machine can dry the garments and only dry smaller loads of laundry at a time. Cycles with washer combos usually take the entire morning.
When selecting a washing machine look for:
- The amount of water used by the machine on an average wash cycle - less water means that on a warm wash the machine will use less energy.
- The best size to suit your needs and average load size.
- Auto load sensing or load size selection features. Choose a washing machine that allows you to adjust the water level to match the size of the load.
- Variable temperature settings to suit different degrees of soiling and load types.
- Dual water connection and cold wash cycles. Heating the water for a hot load can create up to 4kg of greenhouse pollution - a cold wash will produce less than 0.5 kg.
- New washers offer a wide range of water temperature and cycle options, which allow you to customize your laundry for different fabrics and garments. Some models have a water temperature sensor which automatically monitors and adjusts the hot and cold water flow to insure the ideal temperature for best washing results.
- post-purchase service. Find out how your unit will be serviced.
- warranty
If you’re looking for a quiet washer, be sure to check for insulation inside the cabinet. Some models have sound-absorbing pads on all sides. Be sure to check for thick rubber pads on the legs. They not only help reduce sound, they also protect your floors from scratches.
Choose a model with a high Modified Energy Factor (MEF) and a low Water Factor (WF). Modified Energy Factor (MEF) is a measure of energy efficiency that considers the energy used by the washer, the energy used to heat the water, and the energy used to run the dryer. The higher the MEF, the more energy efficient the clothes washer. Water Factor (WF) measures water efficiency in gallons of water consumed per cubic foot of capacity. The lower the WF, the more water efficient the clothes washer. Both MEF and WF are listed on the ENERGY STAR qualified product list. Energy Star units have greater than or equal to 2.0 MEF and less than or equal to 6.0 WF while standard units have MEF of 1.26 or greater and WF of 9.5 or less.
