Choosing lowest energy consumption washing machine

This is an alternative view about saving energy consumption, by an experienced appliance engineer. I believe many people focus far too much on saving energy (electricity), which although desirable, is far less important than buying a good quality appliance. Would you rather have an energy efficient washing machine that is unreliable and only lasts a few years — or a less energy efficient appliance that lasts over 10 years? Which one do you think will cost you less in the long term?

It’s useful to compare how much energy washing machines use. But just buying the lowest energy consumption washing machine could easily be a false economy. I don’t say ignore it completely, but never forget that build quality and reliability are significantly more critical.

How much something costs to run, must also include the purchase cost. If it doesn’t, it’s not the full picture. So for example, if one washing machine costs £20 a year less to run, but costs £100 extra to purchase, then it will take 5 years to get back the extra £100. If it even lasts that long.

My main point is, don’t focus on finding an appliance with the lowest energy consumption, focus on finding a good quality, reliable appliance that will ast – and cost you less in the long run.

In fairness though, you should also be mindful of potential increases in the costs of electricity, which admittedly does complicate things a little. Ultimately, the goal is to try and see the whole picture, and not just be dazzled by potential cheaper running costs.

Long lasting is the most eco-friendly

How long the washing machine lasts also heavily impacts on the costs, as do as repair expenses. As repair costs are so high these days, a single breakdown can wipe out any energy savings. So can a short lifespan. Sadly, repair costs, and how long an appliance will last are complete unknowns. But if you buy an appliance with a reputation for reliability, the odds are it will cost less in repairs throughout its life and last longer.

Drum capacity is important

In reality, most washing machines don’t vary by that much these days in running costs, especially if you are comparing like with like (i.e. the same drum capacity). A larger drum capacity will use more water, and therefore more energy to heat it up — but a larger drum capacity will wash more laundry in one go, so will work out cheaper, even if the energy costs per wash are higher. Make sure you are comparing the same drum capacity when looking at electricity costs.

Checking out some top energy-saving appliances

I researched a list of the top 100 washing machines, listed in order of the lowest energy costs per year and it highlights my point. The number 1 washing machine, costing the least per year in electricity is quoted at £30.45 per year. However, number 25 only costs £39.64 – an extra 17 pence a week – which for most people is hardly worth bothering about.

This number 1 (and “cheapest to run”) washer is a brand that doesn’t have a strong reliability and after sales reputation in the UK (according to Which?). But the number 25 is a Bosh, which does have a very respectable reputation (relatively speaking) and is cheaper to buy too. So in my opinion the Bosh is a better buy regardless of the “higher running costs”.

Even dropping down to number 100 in the chart is an 8Kg washer costing £369 to buy and £50.61 per year to run. The number 1 (cheapest to run) is also 8Kg and costs £456 to buy and £30.45 a year to run. So even though there are 99 other models above it, the washer listed at number 100 only costs 39 pence a week more to run. It’s surely almost impossible to notice this extra cost.

What about over the lifetime of the appliance?

Fair enough, after 10 years the savings would be £201.60. That’s more like it, but would you honestly notice an extra £201 spread over 10 years? The cheaper model also costs £87 more to buy, which reduces the savings to only £114.6 – and that’s assuming it lasts 10 years. All things being equal, I’d only go for the cheaper to run model if they were equally good quality machines.

To be fair, we can’t forget the rising costs of energy. So savings are likely to be higher – potentially much higher even, but the general principle of trying to see the whole picture remains valid. Because if you choose a washing machine that uses less energy, but it doesn’t wash as well, is unreliable, or doesn’t last very long, what’s the point? These are all much more important considerations.

Summary

The amount of energy an appliance uses is not to be totally ignored, but proper perspective needs to be used. There’s no point selecting an appliance which is £20 a year cheaper to run if it costs £300 more to buy. Especially if it isn’t even a well-made brand. If it costs a lot more to buy, then work out how long it needs to last before the saving significantly outweigh the extra purchasing cost. However, allow for electricity price increases.

Check out washing machine reviews from somewhere like Which? who take the big picture into consideration when reviewing and recommending washing machines. They also have “Don’t Buy” recommendations for the worst washing machines.