Definitions for Clothes Washer product listing column headers

Brand and Model

This is how a particular washer is identified. Retailers can identify products they stock using the brand and model number. Some products may also be identified with a name or SKU which is different from the brand or model number, but you should always be able to find the brand and model number on a product.

Volume

This is the tub capacity of the clothes washer in cubic feet.

KWH/Year

This number is the estimated annual energy use of this machine under typical conditions. It is based on an average usage of 392 loads of laundry per year, or just under 8 loads per week. Your actual energy consumption will vary depending on the amount of laundry you do, the size of the loads, and the temperature settings you use. This figure is calculated according to Department of Energy test procedures and incorporates the estimated energy consumed by the washer, and the energy needed to heat water with an electric water heater. If you use a gas water heater, you will use significantly fewer kilowatt hours, but will consume some gas to heat the same water.

Modified Energy Factor

Modified Energy Factor (MEF) is a new equation that replaced Energy Factor as a way to compare the relative efficiency of different units of clothes washers. The higher the Modified Energy Factor, the more efficient the clothes washer is.

MEF takes into account the amount of dryer energy used to remove the remaining moisture content in washed items. For more information about this calculation, please see the August 27, 1997 Federal Register entry regarding 10 CFR Part 430 (186KB, ).

Energy Factor

Energy Factor is a metric that was previously used to compare relative efficiencies of clothes washers. The higher the Energy Factor is, the more efficient the clothes washer is. For clothes washers, Energy Factor is calculated using the following formula:

Water Factor

The Water Factor is a the number of gallons per cycle per cubic foot that the clothes washer uses. The lower the water factor, the more efficient the washer is. So, if a clothes washer uses 30 gallons per cycle and has a tub volume of 3.0 cubic feet, then the water factor is 10.0.

Active Column

Models that appear in parenthesis and in red are discontinued, but may still be available in stores. Discontinued models will appear on this list for a year after their last production date to allow retailers to clear inventory. These models are still ENERGY STAR qualified, but they are no longer manufactured. Sponsors, such as utilities, may honor incentives for discontinued models at their discretion.