Energy Efficient Washing Machine Guide

Buying Guide to Eco Friendly Washing Machines

Today, people are constantly looking for something environmentally friendly or "green." It does not matter if they want to preserve natural resources, save personal resources, or just want to be cool. The move toward energy-efficient washing machines is not just about helping the individual go for the positive change.

Every citizen of the world is benefiting from the conservation of natural resources. Even if you have tons of money to shell out for a washing machine and the regular expenses used to operate it, you should consider how you could best contribute to the preservation of the environment.

Going for energy efficiency is not always about how much the move can slash your utility bills into fractions, but is also about how much our society is becoming aware of what people have been doing to the environment. Here are some tips on finding the perfect, energy-efficient washing machine:So, how can you decide which energy saving washers to buy? Here are some tips to help you pick the right one.

Buy Energy Star-certified machines.

This is probably the most commonly known advice on energy efficiency. Look for the yellow certification. That certification is not just there for decoration but is actually there to show you that the washing machine you are looking at uses less energy than other models.

To learn more about Energy Star-certified washing machines, you can actually visit Energy Star's official site and check out their energy efficiency program calculator. This calculator allows you to compute the total amount of money and energy savings you can enjoy when you buy and use Energy Star-certified washing machines.

Look out for the energy efficiency grading.

For the past several years domestic appliances have been rated according to the European wide standardized tests. Now all domestic appliances have energy efficiency ratings. These are independent tests and applied equally to every manufacturer. Originally Energy efficiency was graded between A-G, with of course “A” being the best. However since technology has increased since the tests first began we now have even better ratings like “A+” and “A++.” Washing machines also get graded according to the final spin cycle and the quality of the wash.

Go for front loaders.

Front loaders can be quite expensive. Some of them are priced at double the cost of top loaders. The design of this machine can also be very inconvenient. You have to squat to load and remove your laundry. If your laundry is quite heavy, you may end up with a backache. However, front loaders have a good side. They are very energy-efficient and can save you money in the long run. Might as well go for that extra bit of sacrifice to benefit of the environment and your monthly electricity bills.

Choose washing machines with large capacities.

While washing machines with larger capacities can cost more and use more energy at a time, they could end up being more cost-effective in the long run. If you always have tons of laundry to do, you will need a bigger washer to finish doing your laundry in a shorter period of time.

Though the energy used by a larger washer is greater than the energy used by a smaller washer during the same length of time, using a heavy-duty washer means you won't have to do your laundry very frequently. Plus, the large capacity enables you to use the washer for a very short period of time per laundry day, since it can handle tons of clothes all at the same time. If you have small loads, however, better stick to smaller washing machines.

Select a machine with several pre-programmed cycles and water levels.

Do not use the same water levels and cycles for all your clothes. Use gentler cycles if your clothes are not that dirty. With less intensity, you use less energy. Use only the appropriate amount of water. When washing only a few clothes, avoid using a lot of water .

Combine high MEF with low WF.

MEF stands for modified energy factor and WF means water factor. To save energy, find a washing machine that combines high MEF with low WF. This simply means that you are being energy-efficient and water-efficient at the same time; you are saving two resources at one go. The MEF takes in consideration the energy used for heating the water, running the washer, and running the dryer. On the other hand, the WF is a measurement of gallons of water used for every cubic foot.

Use a machine with load auto sensor.

The washing machine saves energy by detecting how much water should be needed to wash the clothes, based on their soiled level and weight. This auto sensor does the job for you. You do not have to worry about keying in the wrong data, making the washing machine waste more energy than it should.

Opt for a dryer with moisture sensor.

If a dryer has a moisture sensor, it can sense when the machine is completely dry. Once the machine is dry, the dryer can turn off by itself. Because of this feature, you won't have to waste a lot of energy due to a dryer that is still on even if the machine is already dry.

Variable wash temperatures

are a useful feature. Most clothes only need to be washed on cold – avoid using warm or hot water unless the clothing is heavily soiled or requires it. A washer that has a temperature sensor makes the best use of an existing supply of hot water, which saves time, energy, and money. If you do wash with a temperature bear in mind washing at 40 degrees saves a third of the energy than washing at 60 degrees.

Light Load Wash

Other features to look for in an environmentally friendly washer include a light load cycle – so that when you do need to wash only a few items, less water will be used. Waiting to wash full loads is more eco-friendly than just putting a few items in the washer.

Research on consumer reviews.

In relation to the previous tip, you should not just rely on professional ratings. Ask a friend or a relative or even some people over the Internet whether your chosen brand and model has helped them lower their utility bills. If you are too shy to ask strangers over the Internet, you can read up forums that discuss appliances.

Your personal research should be just that – personal and supplementary. If you want accuracy, you should still go for an energy efficiency grading and an Energy Star certification. Those should be able to reveal whether a washing machine is energy-efficient or not, based on actual inspections.

Choose a machine with horizontal axis washers.

Machines with horizontal axis washers are able to remove more water from clothes. Because more water is wrung out, the drying time is shortened. Shorter cycles, whether for washing or drying, will mean more energy savings.

Are you now ready to buy your own energy-efficient washing machine? Because there are a lot of choices out there, you do not have to sacrifice your budget, design choice, and other preferences. Many washing machine manufacturers are now going for the environment-friendly image. Being green does not even mean being expensive anymore, what with a lot of competitive brands that have already gone green as well. Hopefully, this is not just a current hype that will die down in time. Natural resources are dwindling ,so energy efficiency should not be an added feature but a requirement for every appliance.

Related Article: Problems with a Cheap Washing Machines

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