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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/apr/29/eco-appliances-energy-saving-hints-for-washing-machines
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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Eco appliances: energy-saving hints for washing machines | Eco appliances: energy-saving hints for washing machines |
| (4 months later) | |
| The washing machine has become one of the many home appliances we don’t want to live without – 96% of UK homes now own one. We make them work hard too, putting them through an average of 220 standard wash cycles each year and using thousands of litres of water and lots of energy. | The washing machine has become one of the many home appliances we don’t want to live without – 96% of UK homes now own one. We make them work hard too, putting them through an average of 220 standard wash cycles each year and using thousands of litres of water and lots of energy. |
| Depending on how old your washing machine is you’ll find that technology is making new models more efficient. In fact, between 1990 and 2011, the energy efficiency of washing machines improved by 31%. Not bad. | Depending on how old your washing machine is you’ll find that technology is making new models more efficient. In fact, between 1990 and 2011, the energy efficiency of washing machines improved by 31%. Not bad. |
| Having said that, there are still vast differences between the performance of washing machines available to buy new today. If you are considering buying a new washing machine, it’s worth shopping around and here are some things to consider: | Having said that, there are still vast differences between the performance of washing machines available to buy new today. If you are considering buying a new washing machine, it’s worth shopping around and here are some things to consider: |
| Look at the energy label | Look at the energy label |
| The current EU energy label for washing machines ranges from A+++ (most efficient) to D (least efficient). You’d be hard pressed to find a washing machine to buy in the UK that is rated less than an A. Nor would you want to. While A-rated washing machines dominate the market, any new machine now coming on to the market needs to be A+ or above and with 45% of the market made up of A+++, A++ and A+ models, so you shouldn’t have much problem in finding one that suits you. | The current EU energy label for washing machines ranges from A+++ (most efficient) to D (least efficient). You’d be hard pressed to find a washing machine to buy in the UK that is rated less than an A. Nor would you want to. While A-rated washing machines dominate the market, any new machine now coming on to the market needs to be A+ or above and with 45% of the market made up of A+++, A++ and A+ models, so you shouldn’t have much problem in finding one that suits you. |
| Size matters | Size matters |
| Lots of manufacturers are now producing washing machines with a bigger capacity without the size of the actual machine increasing which is great for bigger families or those who have responsibility for washing the kits of the local football club. Drum sizes available range from 5.5kg to 11kg but as a machine runs most efficient when full, it’s worth assessing what capacity you will actually use. Picking a drum size that best suits your needs will ensure no energy and water is wasted. A 6-7kg washing machine will normally be sufficient for a couple, a 7-8kg for a family of four and a 9kg or above for the larger family. | Lots of manufacturers are now producing washing machines with a bigger capacity without the size of the actual machine increasing which is great for bigger families or those who have responsibility for washing the kits of the local football club. Drum sizes available range from 5.5kg to 11kg but as a machine runs most efficient when full, it’s worth assessing what capacity you will actually use. Picking a drum size that best suits your needs will ensure no energy and water is wasted. A 6-7kg washing machine will normally be sufficient for a couple, a 7-8kg for a family of four and a 9kg or above for the larger family. |
| However you like to deal with your dirty laundry, there are things you can do to reduce the amount of energy you use: | However you like to deal with your dirty laundry, there are things you can do to reduce the amount of energy you use: |
| Load it up | Load it up |
| Always wait until you have a full load before putting on a wash – two half-loads will use more energy than a single full load. | Always wait until you have a full load before putting on a wash – two half-loads will use more energy than a single full load. |
| Wash at 30C or cooler | Wash at 30C or cooler |
| Washing clothes at 30C, rather than at higher temperatures, uses around 40% less energy. Many modern washing powders and detergents are designed to clean clothes effectively at lower temperatures, allowing you to save energy in the process. | Washing clothes at 30C, rather than at higher temperatures, uses around 40% less energy. Many modern washing powders and detergents are designed to clean clothes effectively at lower temperatures, allowing you to save energy in the process. |
| Turn it off | Turn it off |
| Make sure your machine is turned off properly when you’ve finished your wash. If any lights are on, then the machine will still be using electricity. | Make sure your machine is turned off properly when you’ve finished your wash. If any lights are on, then the machine will still be using electricity. |
| Wash less, live more | Wash less, live more |
| Last month, Swedish jeans manufacturer Nudie launched a pair of jeans that they recommend should only be washed after six months. You might not fancy washing other items every six months, but you can minimise unnecessary washing by hanging up clothes to air after wearing them. This enables you to get the maximum use out of each item before needing to wash it and let’s face it, less laundry means more time to do other things. | |
| Finally, if you are going to get a new washing machine, remember to dispose of your old one responsibly via your local council or reuse scheme, not by making it do the Harlem Shake. | Finally, if you are going to get a new washing machine, remember to dispose of your old one responsibly via your local council or reuse scheme, not by making it do the Harlem Shake. |
| For more advice on getting the most from your appliances, visit the Top10 website. | For more advice on getting the most from your appliances, visit the Top10 website. |
| Lizzie Kenyon is from Keep Britain Tidy. | Lizzie Kenyon is from Keep Britain Tidy. |
| Interested in finding out more about how you can live better? Take a look at this month's Live Better Challenge here. | Interested in finding out more about how you can live better? Take a look at this month's Live Better Challenge here. |
| The Live Better Challenge is funded by Unilever; its focus is sustainable living. All content is editorially independent except for pieces labelled advertisement feature. Find out more here. | |
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