Barrons AP Environmental Science

Energy  and the U.S.    Protection  Agency  have    joined  with    appliance

manufacturers to institute the “Energy Star®” program. Appliances

displaying an Energy Star® label have been certified to significantly exceed

the federal efficiency  standards.

■   Choosing    a   machine that    uses    the fewest  gallons of  water   per pound   of

clothes and one that    has high,   medium, and low water   level   controls    and

an  automatic   cold    rinse   cycle.

■   Consider    high    efficiency  (HE)    washing machines.   Advantages  of  HE

washing machines    include:    –   A   traditional washing machine will    use 40  to

47  gallons (151    to  178 L)  of  water   per cycle,  while   high    efficiency

washing machines    use 11  to  32  gallons (42 to  121 L)  of  water   per cycle.

• Energy savings with high efficiency washers are estimated at 50% to
  60% per each load. Much of the energy savings afforded by high
  efficiency washing machines are a result of the significant reduction in
  the hot water they require.


• The horizontal drums utilized in a high efficiency washing machine
  spin at a much faster rate than other machines. This allows more water
  to be extracted from the clothes during the spin cycle. Consequently,
  clothes contain less moisture at the end of the wash and require less
  time and energy to dry.


• A high efficiency washing machine will use two to four clean rinses per
  cycle, reducing levels of detergent residue left on clothing as well as
  improving cleaning efficiency by not having clothes sitting in dirty
  water.


• The tumbling motion in a high efficiency washing machine causes
  clothes to circulate freely resulting in a more effective cleaning
  process and creates less wear and tear on garments. The tumble motion
  is gentler with less stress and pulling on fabric than the agitation
  motion.


• Tumbling and increased circulation of items in the drum requires that a
  high efficiency detergent be used in these machines. High efficiency
  detergents have fewer suds, requiring less water to then rinse away.

(iii) Discuss the economic and environmental costs and benefits of using a
washing machine in terms of steps consumers can take to reduce its
environmental impact. (1 point) ■ Use appliances during off-peak hours ■