Buying
a Washing Machine? It's a Load-ed Question
If you're in the market for a new washing machine, consider
sinking your clothes into an energy-efficient one. It will not only conserve energy but,
closer to home, can help lower your utility bills.
To help consumers see just how energy-efficient a washing machine is, the Federal Trade
Commission requires manufacturers to post an EnergyGuide label on their appliances. The
Guide shows how each model measures up -- energy-wise -- to others of the same size.
For many years, the Guides compared top-loading models with similarly sized top-loaders
and front-loading washers with similarly sized front-loaders. But changes in technology
and marketing are resulting in changes in the law: Starting July 2000, changes to the
FTC's Appliance Labeling Rule and the familiar yellow-and-black EnergyGuide will make both
more meaningful for consumers and manufacturers.
With front-loaders now more widely available for purchase in the U.S., the FTC has
decided to require manufacturers to provide information that will compare all
washing machines of a certain size (either "standard" or "compact")
with others of the same size, regardless of whether they are loaded from the top or the
front. The label change is expected to alert consumers to highly energy-efficient clothes
washers and spur competition among U.S. manufacturers. Front-loaders, which have been
popular for years in Europe, generally are considered more energy efficient than
top-loaders, although they usually are more expensive, too.
Spinning to a Different Drum
Most washing machines sold in the U.S. are top-loaders. They wash the clothes with an
agitator that turns on a vertical axis. The tub also spins the clothes dry on a vertical
axis. Front-loaders work by tumbling the clothes and then spin-drying them in a tub that
rotates on a horizontal axis.
There are some exceptions: One manufacturer makes a horizontal-axis machine that loads
from the top, and another company sells a machine with an axis that is between vertical
and horizontal.
Typically, front-loaders use less water -- from one-third to one-half the amount that
top-loaders require. The clothes tumble in the tub, rising above the water and then
falling back into it as the tub rolls on its side. Because less water is used, less gas or
electricity is required to heat the water; because the machines spin faster, clothes get
wrung out more completely, reducing the cost of running a clothes dryer.
Horizontal-axis washers (front-loaders) have one major drawback: They can cost more
than vertical-axis machines. Still, with the energy savings they provide, front-loaders
may save you money in the long run. In some areas of the U.S., utility companies,
environmental groups and government agencies help sweeten the deal by offering incentives
to consumers who buy front-loaders. At the same time, there are many highly efficient
top-loaders available, too. Use the EnergyGuide to find efficient products at the price
that's right for you.
Reading the EnergyGuide
The bright yellow-and-black EnergyGuide label helps consumers factor an appliance's
energy consumption or efficiency and its annual operating cost into their purchasing
decision. The law requires manufacturers to place the label on most major appliances so
that consumers will see it when they are considering various models.
The EnergyGuide for clothes washers uses kilowatt-hours (a measure of electricity use)
to tell how much energy each appliance uses in a year and compares the appliance with
other appliances of the same or similar size. The range on the label -- where the
appliance's energy use is on a continuum -- is of particular benefit to consumers: A
marker shows where the particular model falls in the range and how it stacks up against
the competition.
The EnergyGuide also gives the estimated cost per year to run the particular model when
it is used with an electric water heater and with a natural gas water heater.
Saving Energy
Getting the best energy value from any washing machine depends on several energy-saving
wash-day practices. For example:
If possible, wash one big load rather than two small ones.
Load the washer to capacity.
If you must wash smaller loads, select lower water levels, if possible.
Use cold water rinses.
Use lower temperature settings and pre-treat or pre-soak stains or
heavily soiled clothing.
Use the recommended amount and type of detergent.
Set the thermostat on your water heater to no higher than 120 degrees
Fahrenheit.
For More Information
The FTC works for the consumer to
prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the
marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and
avoid them. To file a
complaint or to get free information
on consumer issues, visit
www.ftc.gov or
call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The
FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related
complaints into
Consumer Sentinel, a
secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law
enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
|
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION |
FOR THE CONSUMER |
1-877-FTC-HELP |
www.ftc.gov |
|
June 2000 |