Through the Super-Efficient Home Appliances Initiative, CEE promotes the manufacture and sales of energy-efficient clothes washers. CEE has developed a set of specifications and a qualifying products list to define energy efficiency and works with initiative participants (utilities and energy organizations) to promote qualifying washers through incentive, educational and promotional programs.

Utilities and energy organizations from all over North America are currently participating in the initiative.

CEE's evaluation of the Residential Clothes Washer Initiative, which was absorbed into the SEHA Initiative in 2007, indicates that member programs made major contributions to the widespread acceptance of high-efficiency clothes washers nationwide. The study also concluded that CEE provided a valuable function in facilitating the initiative.

This report is available as a downloadable PDF document and is summarized in a PowerPoint presentation.

High-efficiency specifications
CEE's high-efficiency specifications have two parts: energy consumption (Modified Energy Factor) and water usage (Water Factor). A brief description of these measures are included with the specification chart.

In addition to maintaining an up-to-date list of qualifying washers, CEE serves as an information clearinghouse for initiative news and new products.

To calculate the annual energy savings of a high-efficiency washer (when compared to a standard-efficiency model), refer to the ENERGY STAR clothes washer savings calculator.

Product availability soars
When the initiative began, high-efficiency washers were a niche product, available only from foreign manufacturers. Today, hundreds of different models are available in leading retail outlets across the country. Every major domestic appliance manufacturer – including Maytag, Frigidaire, Whirlpool and General Electric – has introduced at least one high-efficiency clothes washer to the market.

Many qualifying washers utilize horizontal-axis technology, which saves energy and water.

The specifications for the Residential Clothes Washer Initiative are used in the clothes washer component of CEE's Super-Efficient Home Appliances Initiative (SEHA).

Additional information about manufacturers of SEHA-compliant products is available in the Resource Library.

CONTACT
For further information about super-efficient clothes washers and the SEHA Initiative, contact Eileen Eaton at 617-589-3949, ext. 203.

NEWS

CEE establishes new clothes washer specification for 2007
In December 2004, CEE established a new – and more stringent – specification for clothes washers. It will become effective Jan. 1, 2007.

As of this date, the federal minimum standard for residential clothes washers will include a Modified Energy Factor (MEF) of 1.26.

The current federal standard for MEF is 1.04. MEF measures the number of cubic feet of laundry that can be washed and dried with 1 kWh of electricity. CEE’s current specifications include an MEF which ranges from 1.42 (Tier 1) to 1.8 (Tier 3B). MEF levels for the new specification will range from 1.8 to 2.2. In addition, the Water Factor (WF) in CEE’s specification will also become more stringent.

For more information on CEE’s washer specifications, see the CEE Newsletter story.

Results from CEE ENERGY STAR Household Survey available
The 2005 CEE ENERGY STAR® Household Survey Report is now available on-line. This study, sponsored by CEE and 11 of its members, was designed to measure public awareness and understanding of the ENERGY STAR label.

Evaluation report available
The evaluation report on CEE's Residential Clothes Washer Initiative has been finalized and is now available on-line.

Agreement reached on raising clothes washer standards
On May 23, 2000 the U.S. Department of Energy announced that an agreement had been reached to increase federal minimum standards for residential clothes washers by 35 percent over the current standard. While full implementation of this standard will not take place until 2007, new requirements for manufacturers will be mandated by 2004. For additional information, read the CEE press release.