Home / Program Offices / Public and Indian Housing / PIH / Public Housing / Public Housing Environmental and Conservation Clearinghouse Redirect / PHECC: ECM: Install Energy- and Water-Efficient Washers and Dryers
ECM: Miscellaneous ECMs

M2. Install Energy- and Water-Efficient Washers and Dryers

DescriptionImage: Efficient laundry appliances save water and energy.

A typical clothes washer will cost more than $1,200 to operate over its lifetime, and has a significant impact on water and sewer costs. The national average for water and sewer costs is estimated to be $4.53 per 1000 gallons. This brings the total cost for water and sewer over the life of the clothes washer to be around $675. If your PHA’s cost of energy or water exceed the national average, or if residents use clothes washers more frequently, consider purchasing high-efficiency, low-water-use clothes washers. Additionally, clothes washers impact the energy use of clothes dryers depending on how dry the clothes are after the spin cycle. Some high-efficiency clothes washers have faster spin speeds that remove more water, so less energy will be needed for drying.

In the past decade, the energy efficiency of standard top-loading washers has doubled. Most new models offer various controls over wash and rinse temperatures and load size. Some models have a "suds saver" option to save soapy water from one cycle to the next. Certain high-end machines automatically sense load size, dirtiness of water, and fabric type and adjust water level and wash cycle automatically.

The clothes dryer is typically the second-biggest electricity-using appliance after the refrigerator, costing about $85 to operate annually. A typical clothes dryer will cost $1,100 to operate over its lifetime. Some new clothes dryers remove moisture more efficiently, have moisture sensors, and have automatic shut-off controls to avoid over-drying.

Applicability

  • PHA developments with laundry facilities

Types

  • Clothes washers
    • Front-load or Top-load
    • Horizontal-axis or Vertical-axis
  • Clothes dryers
  • Moisture sensors
  • Perma-press cycles
  • Microwave clothes dryers 

Considerations

  • Choose a washing machine that has several options for adjusting the water level.
  • Choose a model with a "mini-basket." This allows you to wash very small loads.
  • Look for pre-soaking options. Both pre-soaking options and "suds saver" features conserve energy.
  • Choose a washing machine with faster spin speeds. Higher spin speeds can result in better water extraction and reduce drying times.
  • Look for clothes dryers with moisture sensors that automatically shuts off the machine when clothes are dry. Not only will this save energy, it will reduce the wear and tear on clothes from over-drying.
  • Look for dryers with a cycle that includes a cool-down period, sometimes known as a perma-press cycle.

Performance/Economics

  • Almost all of the energy used by clothes washers is for heating the hot water used to wash the clothes. Only about 10 percent or less of the energy is used by the electric motor that runs the clothes washer.
  • The minimum allowed Modified Energy Factor rating for standard capacity clothes washers is 1.04.
  • The minimum efficiency rating for a standard capacity electric dryer is 3.01, and 2.67 for gas dryers.
  • Energy consumption does not vary significantly among comparable models of clothes dryers.

Resources/Links

Energy Conservation for Housing – A Workbook, HUD, September 1998. Pages 115 and 116 address clothes washers and dryers in apartment buildings.

HUD Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor. Discusses purchasing energy-efficient washers and dryers.

Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, 1999, ISBN 0-918249-38-4. Chapter 10, “Laundry,” address energy and water efficient washers such as the horizontal-axis clothes washer, and clothes dryer technologies.

ENERGY STAR Program: Clothes Washers. Identifies clothes washers that meet Energy Star program requirements.

Horizontal Axis (Front-Loading) Clothes Washers. Provides an overview of horizontal-axis washing machines, including benefits, costs, and installation.

Vertical Axis (Top-loading) Energy-Saving Clothes Washers. Provides an overview of vertical-axis washing machines, including benefits, costs, and installation.

Horizontal Axis Washer-Dryer Combination Unit. Provides an overview of combination washer-dryer units, including benefits, costs, and installation.

Multi-Housing Laundry Association website includes useful information, including a Laundry Utilities Cost Worksheet.

Finally, be sure to check with your local utility company, as many offer rebates or other incentives for resource-efficient commercial washers.

 

CAUTION STATEMENT

TURN OFF UTILITIES: Turn off electricity, gas, propane, and other utilities before starting repairs, cleaning, or installations to avoid accident or injury.

BE AWARE OF LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARDS: Many residences built before 1978 have paint that contains lead, which can pose a serious health hazard if paint, chips, and dust are not handled properly. See the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead brief before disturbing painted surfaces in homes of this vintage. Follow the HUD "Lead-Safe Housing Rule" for requirements for notification, evaluation and reduction of lead-based paint hazards.

BE AWARE OF ASBESTOS HAZARDS: Homes older than 1977 may have building products that contain asbestos such as insulation, high-temperature gaskets, roofing and siding shingles, and vinyl sheet flooring. See the EPA asbestos brief before disturbing such materials.

BE AWARE OF MOLD AND MOISTURE HAZARDS: Molds can gradually destroy materials they grow on; can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people; can cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold; and can cause other serious health problems. To learn more about preventing and cleaning up mold in homes, see these mold guides and the EPA brief on What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas.