Stronger Washing Machine Standards Needed to Cut Utility Bills and Climate Pollution

Stronger Washing Machine Standards Needed to Cut Utility Bills and Climate Pollution JANUARY 2023 Federal efficiency standards for residential clothes washers have not been updated in more than a decade, even though much more efficient washing machines are now available on the market. [...] Stronger standards could ensure that all models take advantage of known improvements, such as using an impeller in place of an agitator, increasing spin speeds, reducing the amount of water consumed (hot water is a significant portion of washer energy usage), and using a more efficient motor. [...] SAVE CONSUMERS MONEY Inefficient washers cost more over the lifetime of the product because they require more energy and water to operate. [...] ASAP organizes and leads a broad-based coalition effort that works to advance, win, and defend new appliance, equipment, and lighting standards that cut emissions that contribute to climate change and other environmental and public health harms, save water, and reduce economic and environmental burdens for low- and moderate-income households. [...] For both top- loading and front-loading machines, improving the efficiency of the washers would reduce the significant energy—electricity or gas—used by water heaters and clothes dryers (since better-spun clothes dry faster).