Is a High-Efficiency Clothes Washer Right for You?

Here is our guide to buying and saving money with high-efficiency clothes washers.

One of the main selling points of high-efficiency clothes washers is that they'll save you several hundred dollars in water and energy costs over the life of the appliance. We've come a long way from the washers of the 1930s, but is it worthwhile to spend $200 to $300 more than the price of a typical washer?

"These days we're loath to tell someone to spend the extra money because we don't know what kind of budget they're working with," says Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, deputy home editor for Consumer Reports, which published its latest washer ratings in February. "But if you tend to take the long view, you will make up that money in the end."

Read on for help in deciding whether a high-efficiency washer is right for you.

What Is a High-Efficiency Washer?

Generally, they are front-loading washers like those you'd find in a laundromat. But some top-loaders are now considered high-efficiency. High-efficiency machines usually include the following:

-- Larger capacity. Energy Star models must have a capacity of at least 1.6 cubic feet.

-- A rotating drum, as opposed to a central agitator (or post), so clothes are soaped and saturated without the entire machine basin having to fill with water.

-- High-pressure spray rinsing, also to save water.

-- An efficient motor and precise settings to conserve energy and water.

-- A faster spin cycle to wring out excess water and cut drying time.

How Much Can You Save?

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates savings of about $50 a year in utility costs. The best machines can save $100 or more compared with an inefficient model (e.g., the 12-year-old machine you have in your basement). But a lot of factors can determine the actual savings for any given homeowner, including the cost of utilities, how often you use the machine and whether you have an electric- or gas-powered model. In an area with high water costs, for instance, you'd probably do well owning a high-efficiency machine.