Save up to $145 a Year in Energy with a New Energy Star Clothes Washer

Has your clothes washer been around for years? You've had it so long, it sounds like a marching band when it runs?
 
There's no better time than the present to recycle your time-worn clothes washer. If your washer is more than 10 years old, you're paying about $145 more each year on your utility bill than you would if you owned a new, ENERGY STAR qualified model. You're also wasting 30 gallons of water per load of laundry--equivalent to almost two times the amount of water used in an average shower.
 
In addition to the immediate energy and water savings from unplugging your old unit, some utilities, cities, and counties are paying consumers to get their old washers off the grid, and to properly recycle the steel and other materials they contain. You may also be able to take advantage of rebates on new energy-efficient appliances in the coming months, thanks to federal stimulus funds. Visit the ENERGY STAR Make a Clean Change: Recycle Your Old Clothes Washer Campaign at www.energystar.gov/recycle to find recycling options and learn about rebates and special deals in your area.
 
When you go searching for a new unit, be sure to look for the blue ENERGY STAR label. Every major appliance manufacturer sells ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers, which are 40 percent more energy and water efficient than the minimum federal energy standard. That means that purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified model over a conventional model will save you an average of $50 a year on your utility bills. Over the life of your new washer, you'll save enough money to pay for the matching dryer.
 
Other plusses: new ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers are easier on your clothes, have larger capacities, and use less detergent than their conventional counterparts. Perhaps best of all, ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers use less energy, helping us reduce our contribution to global climate change. By reducing water consumption, they also help protect our lakes, streams, and oceans.
 
To get the best performance from your machine, use the recommended amount of high-efficiency laundry detergent. For the greatest energy savings, fill the washer to capacity and use cold water whenever you can.
 
ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program that helps individuals and businesses save energy and protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. Learn more at www.energystar.gov.