In early March, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced more stringent performance criteria for Energy Star-compliant clothes washers. The new requirements will go into effect in two phases. Beginning July 1, 2009, clothes washers must be a minimum of 43 percent more efficient than current federal energy efficiency standards with a maximum water factor (WF)—measured as gallons of water used per cubic foot of capacity—of 7.5 to earn the Energy Star. Starting January 1, 2011, clothes washers must be a minimum of 59 percent more efficient than current federal energy efficiency standards, with a maximum WF of 6.0.
The 2011 efficiency criteria changes for washers are expected to save consumers an estimated $120 million on utility bills each year, 11.2 billion gallons of water, and 659 million kilowatt hours of electricity, the DOE says.
