<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" With the average U.S. household washing nearly 400 loads of laundry each year, it&amp;#039;s important to understand the impact of this highly used device. Clothes washers are the second biggest water-hogging appliances (behind toilets) using as much as 32 gallons per load, notes Graham Hill and Meaghan O&amp;#039;Neill, authors of Ready, Set, Green: Eight Weeks to Modern Eco-Living. That&amp;#039;s a ton of water\u2014that could be used more efficiently.  By early 2010, all 50 states and U.S. territories will begin doling out federal rebate dollars to smart consumers who trade up from water-guzzling clothes washers to environmentally-friendly Energy Star\u00AE models that conserve water and electricity. About Clothes Washers If your washer is over ten years old, a new Energy Star\u00AE qualified washer can cut your water costs in half and save you over $135 annually in utility bills. This translates into enough water saved to fill three backyard swimming pools.  New laundry machines are awash with innovations like sensor and intelligence controls that measure how dirty clothes are, then adjust water and cleaning time accordingly. Whisper-quiet models complete even oversized loads without disturbing the peace and there are even washers with interior lighting that add a practical and decorative touch to the clean scene. Smart Shopper Tips \u2022 Look for a washer with a high-modified energy factor (MEF) and low water factor (WF). The higher the MEF, the more energy efficient the model is; the lower the WF, the more water efficient the washer is. \u2022 Choose a washing machine that lets you adjust the water level to match the load size or one that auto adjusts so you don&amp;#039;t have to. \u2022 Although Energy Star\u00AE doesn&amp;#039;t qualify dryers because they typically don&amp;#039;t pull a lot of electricity while in use, a model with a moisture sensor will help cut energy use even more. See our favorite Energy Star\u00AE clothes washers! "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elledecor.com/shopping/home-accessories/a2417/buying-guide-energy-star-clothes-washers-a-62606/>