What makes a washing machine energy efficient?
Washers use a lot of electricity mainly to heat water. Turning the drum doesn’t take half as much energy. When we talk about an “energy efficient washing machine”, most of the energy saved is in heating the water.
You might think that you would also save a lot of electricity by having a shorter wash cycle, and that is true to some extent. But often, short programs don’t get your laundry clean. If you want to wash using less water and less energy, you should choose a long program at 40 to 60 degrees.
The energy efficiency of a washing machine is measured by its energy class – formerly known as the energy label. New washing machines range from energy label A to energy label F. A washing machine with energy label A uses the least energy. Most washing machines on the market today are rated A or C. An energy-efficient washing machine is one that is rated A, B or C.
Energy-efficient washing machines are usually a bit more expensive to buy, but can actually save you money in use. This is because they keep your energy bills considerably lower. The specifications of a washing machine can often tell you how much energy (and money) you will save over its lifetime.
Best energy-efficient washing machines of 2024
If you’re looking for a new washing machine that conserves water and energy, here’s what you need. Below is a list of the best energy-efficient washing machines on the market today. In making this selection we have compared many washing machines with each other. Of course based on energy consumption per wash, but we also looked at the fill weight, spin speed, noise level, different wash programs, and any additional features for convenience. Is the best energy-efficient washing machine for your household among them?
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Best energy efficient washing machine
The Samsung WF45R6100AP high-efficiency front load washing machine looks great with its platinum exterior finish. The 4.5 cu. ft. maximum capacity is just right for you and your family. It has a left swing, round metal door and surface measurements of 31.4 inches deep, 38.75 inches high and 27 inches wide at just 201 lbs. The standard width along with being stackable will allow you to place this machine in many different home layouts. You can pair it with matching Samsung dryers: DVG45R6100P (gas) or DVE45R6100P (electric), both sold separately.
Power efficient with a Tier I Energy Efficiency Rating, consuming only 80kWh per year. Impressive! The maximum spin speed is 1200 revolutions per minute (RPM). It includes 10 different wash cycles: Bedding, Delicates, Heavy Duty, Normal, Permanent Press, Rinse & Spin, Sanitize, Speed Wash, and Whites.
On top of this machine’s many different features is the steam function, which provides powerful stain removal without the need for pretreatment. Self Clean+ keeps your washer drum fresh and clean, while Smart Care allows for easy troubleshooting from the convenience of your smartphone. The GE VERT Plus Technology which reduces noise and vibration allows for an overall quieter wash. The Swirl + Drum interior improves the drum pattern and lets the water flow more quickly and therefore limiting excess moisture. The Closet Depth Fit3 provides space-saving design, great for flexible installation in any laundry space. The ADA Compliant4, AUI, Braille accessibility feature, allows easy use of this machine for more people. 5 Temperature Levels for the ideal temperature to wash your clothes gently and thoroughly. Other features include adjustable legs, control lock, control sounds on/off, cycle status indicator, delay start, door window, end-of-cycle signal, remote diagnostics, water heater and more.
The Samsung WF45R6100AP comes with hoses and a power cord. The matching pedestal WE402NP can be bought separately.
With a beautiful white exterior that would look good in many rooms, the LG WM3400CW front load washer fits right in your home. A large maximum capacity of 4.5 cu. ft. allows you to put in more laundry at one time, reducing the need to do more loads. It’s stackable, so you can pair it with your favorite LG
dryer, sold separately or put it on top of the LG SideKick Pedestal Washer, also sold separately. Measuring 30.25 inches deep, 39 inches high and 27 inches wide at only 187.4 lbs., this washer can be placed in smaller laundry spaces or second floor closets. It has a left swing glass door that allows you to see inside.
The LG WM3400CW washing machine has an Energy Efficiency Rating of Tier II and consumes only 100kWH per year of energy with a maximum spin speed of 1300 revolutions per hour (RPM). The 8 wash cycle options give you enough choices without making things complicated. Choose from Bedding, Cold, Delicates, Extra Rinse, Heavy Duty, Normal, Permanent Press, Prewash, Rinse & Spin, Speed Wash, Towels and Sheets, and Tub Clean.
It doesn’t come with a steam function, but instead offers a trove of other amazing features. The special LG 6Motion technology uses 6 different wash motions, from scrubbing power to a gentle swing ensuring your clothes are cleaned effectively but gently. The LG TrueBalance anti-vibration system is designed to reduce the noise made by your washing machine, so you could enjoy a quiet time before the cycle finishes. Because this washer is made to be compatible with the LG Smart Diagnosis app, if you ever have a problem with your machine, you can avoid a call to the customer service center by troubleshooting yourself. The SenseClean system sets the water level automatically based on the weight of your laundry. What’s more, you also get standard features like adjustable legs, control lock, delay start, end of cycle signal, and spin speed option.
The LG washer dryer stacking kit (model # KSTK1) is not included.
The MHW5630HW front load washer from the Maytag Corporation holds up to 4.5 cu. ft. of laundry. It’s space saving because it is stackable, so you can pair it with a dryer of your choice. The measurements are 31.31 inches deep, 38.63 inches high and 27 inches wide with a total weight of 210 lbs. The exterior is covered with either a white or metallic slate finish. The square left swing glass door is fashionable and allows you to peer inside the machine with interior light. With a stainless-steel drum, your washer is low-maintenance and prevents your clothes from getting caught.
Save money and electricity. This machine is Energy Star Rated and just consumes 86kWH of power per year. Dry your clothes faster with a maximum spin speed of 1160 revolutions per minute (RPM), allowing the laundry to come out with less moisture. The Steam function sanitizes your laundry while dissolving dirt and grime gently. You have an abundance of choice with 10 wash cycle options. If you’re in a hurry, the Quick Wash Cycle can clean a small load within 15 minutes. Throw that load in a Maytag dryer with the Quick Dry Cycle (sold separately) and your clothes will be ready in no time. If you can’t remove the load from the washer after a cycle right away, the 12-Hour Fresh Spin option keeps your laundry soft and free from wrinkles until you’re back. If you found additional laundry you need to wash, Late Add allows you to stop the machine mid-cycle and throw in additional articles of clothing. Keep your washing machine clean and hygienic by running the AFFRESH cycle every 30 washes using the AFFRESH Washer Cleaner tablet or simply a liquid chlorine bleach. The Heavy Duty Cycle provides effective dirt and stain removal. Give it an extra oomph with the Extra Power Button which provides the most powerful cleaning in the industry. In addition to the special Maytag features, other functions include control lock, cycle status indicator
and front control.
The Maytag MHW5630HW front load washer comes with hoses and a power cord.
Your search for your next washing machine ends with the Electrolux EFLS627UIW front load washer. Generously sized with a total maximum capacity of 4.4 cu. ft., it allows you to wash more clothes with less loads. The exterior is coated in chic colors of either Titanium or a classic White. Even with a large capacity, this washing machine only measures 32 inches deep, 38 inches high and 27 inches wide and weighs 237 lbs. allowing you the luxury of placing it in smaller laundry spaces. Put in on top of the optional Electrolux pedestal storage drawer (Model # EPWD257UTT) to raise the height and provide you more laundry storage space. Save even more space in the laundry room by pairing it with your preferred
Electrolux Dryer, because it is also stackable. The reversible round door gives you the flexibility to place it in different room configurations.
This washer is Energy Star and CEE certified with an Energy Efficiency Tier II rating. It’s impressively economical, only consuming 85kWH per year. The maximum spin speed runs at 1300 RPM. With the Perfect Steam feature, your clothes get extra thorough cleaning by gently lifting dirt from the bottom up. Finding missing articles of clothing is solved with the Luxury-Design interior lighting. This machine also gives you the option of 10 different wash cycles, including the 15-minute Fast Wash, and 5 Soil and Spin cycles. Enjoy exciting Electrolux features such as the SmartBoost technology which premixes your detergent and water before the cycle to enhance its cleaning power and Stain Soak which premixes the detergent, water and stain remover to create a potent cleaning solution. The world’s first Adaptive Dispenser accepts any type of detergent: powder, liquid and even pods. This washer has Automatic Water Level Adjustment, so it reduces water waste. The Delay Start feature allows you to start a cycle when it’s the most convenient for you. More features await when you buy this amazing washing machine.
The Electrolux EFLS627UIW comes with a power cord.
The GE GFW550SPNDG front load washer comes in the gorgeous color of Diamond Gray. The large 4.8 cu. ft. capacity is perfect to wash more clothes at once, saving you lots of time. Weighing just 246 lbs., with measurements of 32 inches deep, 39.75 inches high and 28 inches wide, this beautiful machine will fit in many laundry spaces and closets. Place it wherever you please because the glass door is reversible, giving you a lot of flexibility in placement. Stack it with your favorite
GE dryer and save even more space.
This machine is energy efficient, with an EER of Tier I, consuming only 158kWh per year. Dry your clothes faster because it comes with a maximum spin speed of 1300 RPM. A variety of choice is available to you with 10 wash cycles, from your delicates to heavy, bulky bedding. When you’re in a hurry, the 20-minute Quick Wash cycle will be there to save you. Sanitize with Oxi is a dedicated cycle designed to remove 99% of common bacteria by mixing an Oxi additive with your detergent, boosting its cleaning power.
It doesn’t come with a steam function but makes up for it with a trove of awesome GE exclusive features. Let’s start with the UltraFresh vent system with OdorBlock. This function eliminates excess moisture in your machine to help prevent odors and bacterial growth, so your washer stays fresh and clean. Moreover, the Microban antibacterial technology is build into the parts like the gasket, dispenser and draining system, further protecting you and your family from harmful germs. Dynamic Balancing Technology (dBT™) is GE’s patented, time saving technology that senses and rebalances uneven loads during a spin cycle, providing a quieter wash. The GE GFW550SPNDG is perfect for a modern, smart-home and can be controlled with an app in your phone because it is Wi-Fi ready. This machine is also ADA-compliant, allowing more people to use it freely.
No additional items included.
Buying an energy-efficient washing machine; what to look out for?
It is obviously very important that a washing machine is water and energy efficient. This is good for the environment, and it keeps your energy bills low. But of course, there are other things to consider when buying a new washing machine. These are our tips:
Fill weight
If you really want to save water and energy while washing, it is important that you choose a new washing machine with a fill weight that matches the size of your household. The load weight of a washing machine indicates how many kilos of washing you can fit into the drum.
If you buy an energy-efficient washing machine with too much load weight, it may take longer to get a full drum. It is important for the life of your washing machine that you wash with a full load – failure to do so can cause the washing machine to become unbalanced and components to become damaged. You’ll also unnecessarily use energy and water if you don’t have a full drum.
But you also don’t want a washing machine with too little fill weight. This means you’ll have to wash more often, which also uses up a lot of water and energy. Most washing machines last longer if you only use them a few times a week.
To wash as efficiently as possible, we recommend the following household size: If you are a 1 or 2 person household, it is best to choose an energy-efficient washing machine with 6 kg or 7 kg fill weight. If you have a family of 3 or 4, an 8kg washer would be better. If you have a household of 5 or more, you may want to consider 9kg or 10kg washing machines.
RPM
The spin speed of a washing machine indicates how many rounds it spins per minute while spinning. The faster it spins, the drier your laundry will be from the drum. More revolutions cost more energy. But it also means that you don’t have to put your laundry in the dryer, which saves you electricity. Most energy-efficient washing machines are rated at 1400 rpm, but 1600 rpm will get your laundry as dry as possible.
Sound level
The sound level of a washing machine indicates, in decibels (dB), how much noise it makes while spinning. If you are looking for an economical, quiet washing machine, you should look for ones that produce a maximum of 73 dB during the spin cycle.
Wash programs
Each washing machine offers different wash programs. The composition of your household may mean that you need a specific wash cycle. That way, you can wash as efficiently as possible. There are special programmes for delicate fabrics, stains, sportswear, baby clothes, shirts and more. Which wash cycle should your new washing machine feature?
Energy label washing machines explained
If you don’t know what an energy class is, you’ve probably heard of an energy label before. These are basically the same thing. Since March 1, 2022, there is a new energy label system, which runs from energy label A to G instead of A+++ to D. The energy label indicates how energy efficient a washing machine is. Washing machines with energy label A, B and C are considered energy efficient washing machines.
The energy label on washing machines is based on the most economical wash cycle that the machine runs. Often this is an eco wash cycle at 40 or 60 degrees. The energy label does not cover all other wash cycles.
