Green pieces: Is an energy-efficient washer right for you?

Forget Kermit the Frog. Today, "being green" has taken on a whole new meaning. An increasing number of planet-friendly products is being spawned every day, and washing machines are no exception. Are these appliances truly as advantageous as they seem?

 

One familiar household name, Energy Star, (the government program that began identifying energy-efficient consumer products back in 1992) takes its ratings very seriously. To qualify for an Energy Star label, all washing machines must have a Modified Energy Factor (MEF) of 1.8 or above and a Water Factor of 7.5 or below. MEF measures how well each washer extracts water from laundry based on how much dryer energy is needed to dry that laundry. With this calculation, higher numbers are better. Water Factor is a calculation that divides the total amount of water used in each load by the washer's capacity. According to National Geographic's TheGreenGuide.com, water factor is a better way to compare washing machines than total water used per load, since it takes into account the washer's capacity. Not keen on crunching numbers? Don't worry. Products also feature these calculations and results on the yellow label affixed to packages or store shelves. For added convenience, we've also listed the MEF and Water Factor for each of our Best Reviewed washing machines .

Additionally, according to EnergyStar.gov, an Energy Star-certified washer uses up to 30 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than other washing machines. This could save the average household over $50 a year. If you have a washing machine that's more than 10 years old, the savings on your energy and water bills from a new Energy Star washer could be even greater -- about $135 per year. However, some consumers say these washers just don't clean as well, since they use less water. 

The bottom line: While energy-efficient washing machines can save you some coin, a number of owners take issue with their cleaning abilities. To learn more, check out our newly-updated full report on washing machines.