An Energy-Efficient Washing Machine: What to Look For Before You Buy

Laundry is easy enough in theory, yet the wrong washing machine can waste water and power. Choosing a high-efficiency washing machine can be a smart way to cut household energy and water consumption. However, the most advanced-looking washer is not always the best fit.

Start with your normal laundry week. Do you wash a few small loads? Do you often wash bedding? A washer that fits the way you live can save more than a model chosen from a sale tag alone. This guide breaks down what the labels mean and which details are worth your attention.

Quick Answer

When shopping for an energy-efficient washing machine, compare machines that are close in size and style. Look at the yellow EnergyGuide label first. It estimates yearly energy use and yearly running cost.

To ensure you're getting a truly high-efficiency washer, cross-reference your choices in the ENERGY STAR Product Finder to compare their IMEF and IWF scores side-by-side. To do this, simply visit the ENERGY STAR website, enter the washer's model number into their search tool, and navigate to the "Product Characteristics" or "Technical Specifications" section to view the specific data points.

IMEF means Integrated Modified Energy Factor. Think of it as an overall energy score that also considers water heating and how much water remains in clothes for the dryer. A higher IMEF is better.

IWF means Integrated Water Factor. It shows how much water a washer uses for its size. A lower IWF is better. Those two numbers make more sense than a vague claim that a washer is "high efficiency."

What Makes an Energy-Efficient Washing Machine Worth Buying?

An efficient laundry appliance uses less water for the job. It may also leave clothes less wet at the end of the cycle. That matters because heating water uses a large share of the energy used for laundry, and wetter clothes can need more dryer time. ENERGY STAR and Virginia Cooperative Extension both recommend cold-water washing when it suits the load, along with a high spin option when available.

There is a small catch. Some low-energy cycles take longer. That can feel odd at first. But a longer wash does not always mean a wasteful wash. The machine may use less water and lower heat while giving the clothes more time to move through the wash solution.

The biggest difference is how the washer moves clothes and how much water it uses. A traditional top-load washer usually has a tall center post called an agitator. A high-efficiency washer may be a front-loader, or it may be a top-loader with a short plate or cone at the bottom called an impeller.

How a High-Efficiency Washer Works

A front-load washer turns the drum and lifts clothes through a shallow pool of water. An efficient top-loader usually has an impeller that moves the load from below. Both styles can use sensors to judge the load size before they add water.

LG is a household name in washing machines. This 27-inch front-load option is Energy Star certified and comes with a pet care cycle.

Use detergent marked "HE" in these machines. It makes fewer suds. Too many suds can make rinsing harder and may leave residue behind. Measure the detergent instead of guessing. It is a small habit, although it can prevent a lot of repeat rinses.

How to Read Washer Efficiency Labels and Ratings

Start With the Yellow EnergyGuide Label

The yellow EnergyGuide label shows an estimated yearly operating cost and yearly electricity use. It also places that cost on a range for similar models. The yearly dollar estimate uses national averages. Your bill may be higher or lower depending on local utility rates, your water heater, and how often you run laundry. Think of it as a useful starting point, and not a promise.

Use IMEF and IWF to Compare Similar Washers

IMEF and IWF appear in the ENERGY STAR Product Finder, even though they may not appear on the EnergyGuide label. Compare these numbers only among washers that fit your capacity needs.

• A higher IMEF means better energy performance for that washer size.
• A lower IWF means better water performance for that washer size.
• For front-load residential washers over 2.5 cubic feet, current ENERGY STAR criteria require an IMEF of at least 2.76 and an IWF of no more than 3.2.
• For top-load residential washers over 2.5 cubic feet, the current criteria are at least 2.06 IMEF and no more than 4.3 IWF.

These numbers do not tell you whether you will like the controls or how quiet the machine will be. They do show whether one same-size washer uses water and energy more carefully than another.

This GE option has a 4.9 cu. ft. capacity and is also Energy Star certified.

Energy-Efficient Washer Features That Actually Help

Load Sensing

Load sensing adjusts the amount of water for the clothing inside. This is useful if you often just wash a few shirts or school uniforms.

Cold-Water Cycle

Cold water can cut the energy used to heat water. ENERGY STAR says water heating uses about 90 percent of the energy used to run a clothes washer, and Virginia Cooperative Extension gives the same general guidance. Cold is a good everyday choice for many loads. Use warmer settings when a stain or a household health need calls for them.

This Samsung Smart Washer front-loader has an excellent cold wash function.

High Spin or Extended Spin

A stronger final spin removes more water before clothes reach the dryer. That can shorten drying time.

Maytag offers this front-load machine with a 12-hour fresh spin. The machine will continue to spin your clothes if you are unable to take the washing out immediately. Your clothes will stay fresh and wrinkle-free.

A Drum That Fits Your Real Loads

A huge drum sounds helpful. But a very large washer can be a poor match for a one- or two-person home that mostly washes small loads. On the other hand, a smaller machine can mean extra loads after a busy weekend. Measure the space, then think about your sheets and towels. Those items tell you a lot.

Front-Load or Top-Load: Which Uses Less?

Front-load washers are usually the stronger pick when the goal is maximum efficiency. ENERGY STAR reports that certified front-load washers use about half the energy and water of top-load agitator models. Certified front-loaders also use about 25 percent less energy and water than top-load impeller washers, according to the program.

This LG signature option is the smart one. It includes a smart screen and 26 different cycles to choose from.

That does not make every top-loader a bad choice. An ENERGY STAR top-load impeller model can still save water compared with an older agitator machine. It can also feel easier to load for someone who does not want to bend down. In the end, the best washer is the one you can use comfortably and maintain well.

This Whirlpool top-loader option has a removable agitator so that you can wash those bulky items more easily.

How to Estimate Your Laundry Savings

Compare the EnergyGuide Labels

Choose two washers with a similar capacity. Write down the estimated yearly operating cost from each yellow label. Subtract the lower figure from the higher figure. That gives you a rough annual energy difference.

For example, if one washer has an estimated yearly operating cost of $30 and another is estimated at $45, the label suggests a $15 difference in a typical year. Your own result may change with local electricity rates and your water-heater fuel.

Add Water Costs Carefully

Water and sewer prices are local, so the EnergyGuide label cannot tell the full story. Check the annual water-use figure in the ENERGY STAR Product Finder for each model. Then ask your utility how it charges for water and sewer service. This step takes a little time. It gives you a more honest estimate, especially in an area with high water rates.

Think About Dryer Time Too

The EnergyGuide label does not show your dryer cost. Consumer Reports notes that a washer that removes more moisture can reduce dryer time. Compare spin options and read product information with that in mind, especially if you use an electric dryer often.

Simple Habits That Help a Low-Energy Washer

Buying an efficient laundry appliance is only part of the picture. How you use it matters, too.

• Run full loads when the fabric care needs are similar. A half-empty washer can still use nearly as much energy for the cycle.
• Use cold water for normal loads when the clothing labels allow it.
• Choose the high-spin option for sturdy fabrics when you plan to use the dryer after the wash.
• Leave a front-load door ajar after a load so moisture can dry out. Follow the owner's manual for cleaning the gasket and dispenser.

Is an Energy-Efficient Washing Machine Worth It?

For many households, yes. The benefits are easiest to notice when you replace an older top-load agitator washer or when your household does laundry often.

Still, do not choose by the efficiency score alone. Check the drum size, door swing, cycle times, and service options in your area. A machine that looks perfect online can be annoying if the door blocks a walkway or the drum will not hold your bedding.

Choose Efficiency That Fits Your Home

An energy-efficient washing machine should make laundry feel simpler while using less water and power. Begin with the right capacity. Then compare the EnergyGuide labels, the IMEF score, and the IWF score for models in that same size range.

Front-loaders usually offer the biggest efficiency advantage. But a top-load impeller washer may fit your space or comfort needs better. Either way, cold-water washing, correct detergent use, and a good spin setting can help you get more from the washer you bring home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do high-efficiency washers really save money?

They can. Savings depend on the washer you replace, how often you wash clothes, your water temperature, and local utility prices. Compare EnergyGuide labels for similar models before you decide.

What is a good IWF rating for a washer?

Lower is better. Compare IWF only among washers with a similar drum size. ENERGY STAR sets different maximum IWF levels for different washer types, so a front-loader and a top-loader should not be judged by one number alone.

Are front-load washers more efficient than top-load washers?

Usually, yes. ENERGY STAR says certified front-loaders use less energy and water than certified top-load agitator models.

Does ENERGY STAR mean a washer uses the least water?

No. It means the washer meets the program's efficiency requirements. Two certified washers can still use different amounts of water.