Dishwashers and Clothes Washers to be More Water Efficient

Energy legislation approved by Congress and signed by President Bush in December has established – for the first time – minimum national water efficiency standards for residential clothes washers and dishwashers. The standards contained in H. R. 6, the “Energy Independence and Security Act,” were developed during negotiations between appliance manufacturers and efficiency advocates that concluded in April 2007. Standard-sized dishwashers manufactured after January 1, 2010, will be limited to 6.5 gallons per cycle, and compact dishwashers will be limited to 4.5 gallons per cycle. Residential clothes washers manufactured after January 1, 2011, must meet a maximum water factor of 9.5. The new law also directs the Department of Energy to undertake new rule-makings to consider even stronger efficiency standards for clothes washers and dishwashers, which, if approved by the Secretary, would take effect in 2015 and 2018 respectively. Prior to the passage of this bill, there was no requirement in law for the Department of Energy to consider any new standards for clothes washers or dishwashers in the future.

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Contributor: Emmanuel Habumuremyi
Published Date: April 30, 2008