Your roadmap for a healthy green life

  1. Find out your current healthy green score with our five-minute quiz
  2. Discover what to do next from 400+ actions & track your progress
  3. Share and compare with your friends & neighbors
Superbly Green
Your Action Status
Not Committed Yet
Sign in or join now to get started
Points
Energy Energy 20
Water Water 50
Badges

Frugalista

Upgrade your washing machine to an Energy Star model

All Practically Green: 8,628 or so people have DONE this action so far.

All Practically Green: 2,013 or so people have ADDED this to their action plan so far.

Why is "Upgrade your washing machine to an Energy Star model" green?

Energy Star-qualified washing machines use about thirty percent less energy and over fifty percent less water than regular washers. Many qualified clothes washers also have a greater capacity than conventional models, meaning you’ll do fewer loads of laundry. These washers save money and reduce the considerable negative environmental impact of doing laundry.

A typical high-efficiency clothes washer will be a front-loading machine with multiple wash and water-temperature settings. Be aware that for state rebate purposes, it may not be enough to have a machine with an Energy Star label. California, for example, will only provide a rebate for Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) Tier 3 models.

How to: Upgrade your washing machine to an Energy Star model

If you’re in the market for a new washing machines, high efficiency versions are available from most major retailers including Home Depot, Sears, and Best Buy. You can also find them at local home appliance stores. Like refrigerators, clothes washers come with a YellowGuide label showing overall water and energy use. Read these.

Do some research and read customer reviews before you purchase. Washer performance, noise, and overall customer satisfaction vary across different brands. And keep an eye out for any class action lawsuits; there’s currently one against several manufacturers due to a design defect that leads to mold building up in the washer.