DOE Clothes Washer Standards Raised

Federal minimum standards for the energy efficiency of domestic clothes washers are to increase by 35%. The two-step process requires manufacturers to meet new modified energy factor (MEF) standards. MEF calculates energy used while accounting for remaining moisture content in the clothes—the drier the clothes, the shorter the dryer run time and therefore energy consumed. The current MEF is 0.817; by 2004 an MEF of 1.04 will be required, followed by an MEF of 1.26 by 2007. The 2007 level will put the minimum requirement for washer efficiency approximately at the current threshold for Energy Star®-labeled machines.

The agreement provides for a $60 million tax credit available to manufacturers marketing the improved models before the 2004 deadline. The tax credit will pay $50 per unit for any products that meet or exceed 1.26 MEF, or $100 for washers manufactured that attain 1.42 MEF or better. Estimates prepared by DOE indicate that water usage could be reduced as much as 18 gallons (68 l) per wash in addition to substantial reductions in electricity consumed. Analysts expect that horizontal-axis washing machines will have a much larger market share by 2007, but new, efficient top-loaders will be introduced as well. “We’ll probably see the market about evenly split between front- and top-loading machines,” says Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, “but all will be very efficient.”