Laundry

Facts

Clothes washers can account for an estimated 20 per cent of household water consumption (Environment Canada). On average, a top loading clothes washer can use between 150 and 250 litres of water per load, and it is estimated that 15 per cent of your hydro or gas bill is due to the energy required for hot water heating (Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada).

Solutions

Water-efficient clothes washers reduce water consumption by 35 to 50 per cent when compared to older non-efficient models. The most common water-efficient clothes washer is the ENERGY STAR^® qualified front loading model. Conventional top loading clothes washers need to fill the basin up to the top to ensure that all clothes get wet, but front loading machines only need to fill one-third of the basin. Clothes then get lifted up and plunged into the water, similar to the motion of the dryer, using gravity instead of an agitator. The rotating motion of the front loading model ensures all of the clothes get a thorough cleaning. The machines are designed to spin the clothes so well that the drying time can be cut in half. This decrease can save an estimated 30 per cent on your energy bill each year when compared to the standard top-loading clothes washer models (ENERGY STAR^®), so these washers are not only water-efficient but energy efficient too.

More tips to increase water-efficiency when washing clothes:

• Wait until you have a full load of laundry before you wash your clothes
• Use the correct setting for large, medium and small loads
• Pre-treat stains to avoid rewashing

For other household tips on how to reduce your water consumption click here to download the Water Efficiency An At-Home Guide for FREE.