Energy efficient
Washing Machine
buying tips

An energy efficient washing machine is a game-changer for your home. It uses less water and electricity, compared to standard appliances, helping you save on utility bills. Plus, advanced features like eco modes and optimised drum designs ensure powerful cleaning with less waste. It’s a smarter way to do laundry!

Check out our Washing Machine Buying Guide to learn more about the things you should consider when upgrading your laundry appliance.

Energy rating

The energy rating on an energy-efficient washing machine provides a quick guide to its power consumption and overall efficiency. Typically rated on a scale from 1 to 10 stars, with more stars indicating better energy efficiency, these ratings help you choose a machine that uses less electricity and water per load.

Energy consumption

Look for the energy consumption numbers on washer star rating labels – this tells you the expected energy use in kilowatt/hour per year so you can compare different models and choose the most energy efficient washing machine.

Water consumption

Water consumption on an energy-efficient washing machine is often lower compared to traditional models. Selected washing machines are designed to optimise water use with features like load-sensing technology that adjusts the water level based on the amount of laundry, ensuring no drop is wasted.

Spin speed

Higher spin speeds extract more water from your clothes, reducing drying time and energy use in dryers. Energy-efficient machines often let you adjust spin speeds to suit different fabrics, balancing efficiency and garment care. For example, delicate items may require lower spin speeds, while heavier fabrics like towels benefit from higher speeds for quicker drying.

Types

Front loaders are generally more water and energy efficient than top loaders, on average using about half as much water, but there are some top loaders that are just as efficient as a front loader. Front loaders usually use less detergent, making them more eco-friendly, however they can use slightly more power due to their longer cycle times.

Tap connections

Tap connections are an important consideration for washers as most of a washing machine’s energy use is for heating the water for warm washes. If you regularly do warm washes then a washer with dual hot and cold water connections will be more energy efficient than a washer with a cold water connection only.
A washer that connects to a hot water tap and makes use of a hot water system usually produces less energy, making it cheaper to run than a model that heats water once inside the machine.

Cycles

According to Sustainability Victoria cold wash cycles can use up to 80% less energy than a hot cycle¹. Washers with an Economy cycle allow you to wash lightly soiled loads perfectly while saving energy and water. Some machines have load sensing technology rhat adjust the amount of water used to suit the load, or a delay start function that allows you to run the machine at off-peak times.