Washing clothes in hot water can use a lot of energy. Save by using the cold-water cycle. By design, modern washers are well equipped for cold water, and many detergents have enzymes that can start to work in temperatures as low as 60℉.
By not heating the water in your washing machine, you may reduce your energy costs with every load. An estimated 75 to 90 percent of all the energy your washer uses goes to warming up the water, so switching to colder water can lower your gas or electric bill.
Don’t waste energy by only running partial loads of laundry. Washing full loads are much more efficient.
If you are shopping for a new washer or dryer, look for the EnergyStar label. And check out our Energy Services page for a list of available rebates.