Many people overlook a clothes washer as one particular product they can buy to reduce their energy consumption. There are a few important things you need to know when looking for the most efficient clothes washer.

First, consider the design of the machine-whether it is a top load vertical-axis washer, a front load horizontal-axis washer, or a top load horizontal-axis washer.

Most people have top load vertical-axis washers that use an agitator and the water has to fill the tub to submerse the laundry. These washers use an average of 42 gallons of water per load, and about 8-12 gallons are heated for a warm wash. Horizontal-axis, or tumble action washers use less water, energy, and soap because the tub is tilted on its side which allows the clothes to be dropped repeatedly into the bottom pool of water. This provides a more effective cleaning action and is very gentle on your fabric because you do not have a harmful agitator rubbing your clothes together generating lint.

Also, learn the amount of water, energy, and detergent that is required for a full load. About 90% of the energy with a washing machine is used to heat the hot water. Therefore, if you simply reduce your total water consumption you can save a lot of energy.

By learning how much total water a clothes washer uses for a full load will give you a good idea of how efficient it is. The less water used, the less hot water and detergent that is needed. The less resources that are used per load, the less it costs you to operate.

Next, learn the washer's operating energy for a full load (including what it surges to when the motor starts) if you are using alternative power sources. Top load vertical-axis washers that have a full tub of water and an energy-robbing transmission normally have the highest surge in energy when it starts up. Horizontal-axis washers would use less energy not only because of less operating energy but mainly because of less hot water needed.

Finally, learn if the manufacturer will still honor their warranty if used off-grid.

Getting More For Your Money: The Second Price Tag

When buying a clothes washer, it can be helpful to think of two price tags. The first price tag is the price paid to purchase the washer. The second price tag is the cost to operate the washer over its lifetime. When you add the second price tag to the initial purchase price of a clothes washer, it becomes clear that a horizontal-axis, or tumble action tub design would cost you less money.

Staber Industries is the only U.S. manufacturer of an energy efficient top loading tumble action washer. Staber offers significant reductions in operating costs. Staber Industries also has technologies for laser cutting, vapor degreasing, and powder-coat painting of metals.