High-Efficiency Washers
Clean up on savings with high-efficiency clothes washers
Clothes washing machines account for more than 20% of water used inside the home. Running a conventional washing machine can use more than 50 gallons of water per cycle. Today a new technology has emerged to replace water guzzling clothes washers with high-efficiency models that use 50% less water and energy. Most full-sized high-efficiency clothes washers use 18-25 gallons of water per load. These new washers are readily available in retail outlets and are one of the most effective ways to reduce your water usage.
High-efficiency washers have been shown to provide equal if not improved performance compared to high-volume washers. Many high-efficiency washers are front-loading configurations, which use less water and detergent than traditional vertical access models by tumbling clothes in a small pool of water. Using less water in the wash cycle requires up to 50% less energy needed to heat the water and faster spin cycles mean more water is extracted from clothes - thus reducing the amount of time required in the dryer.
New front-loading clothes washers use significantly less water than older models, which fully suspend clothes during the wash cycle.
front-loading washer
Vertical access washer
How are clothes washing machines selected for the qualifying products list?
There are several clothes washing machine configurations and features available on the market today. The models selected for rebates from PG&E and your participating water agency have had their specifications submitted by manufacturers to the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), a nonprofit corporation developed to promote the manufacture and purchase of energy-efficient products and services.
CEE specifies the efficiency of clothes washing models based on the machine's Modified Energy Factor and Water Factor. Although all models on the CEE list (
PDF, 82k) are very efficient, the tiers are structured so that the most efficient products are listed in the higher tiers. Remember: ONLY Tier 2 and Tier 3 qualify for a rebate.
Modified Energy Factor or MEF = MEF measures energy consumption of the total laundry cycle (washing and drying). It indicates how many cubic feet of laundry can be washed and dried with one kWh of electricity; the higher the number, the greater the efficiency.
Water Factor or WF = number of gallons needed for each cubic foot of laundry. A lower number indicates lower consumption and more efficient use of water.
Clothes Washing Machine Resources/ Buying tips
Clothes washing machine water savings and buying tips from the California Urban Water Conservation Council.
Learn more about the features of front-loading clothes washing machines vs. traditional top-loading models at U.S. Consumer Reports.
Looking for more ways to save water?
To help ensure a reliable water supply for today and for the future, California water agencies offer a wide variety of conservation incentives to help residents and business reduce consumption and save money. Contact your participating water agency for more information on programs and rebates aimed at helping you save water.
Looking for more ways to save energy?
There are many ways to save energy in your home. Energy efficiency means doing the same amount of work with less energy. A new energy efficient Clothes Washer can get your clothes clean using up to 50% less energy and water than an older model. There are many ways to save energy, from no cost solutions to those that cost some money. Visit PG&E's rebates page to learn more about energy efficiency and what you can do to reduce your energy bill.