A better, more efficient washing machine will save you money and energy.
Buying the best washing machine
The best washing machine for your home will depend on your washing needs, laundry space, and budget.
Buying the most efficient model in your price range can reduce your energy bills, the amount of water you use to get the job done, and New Zealand’s overall emissions.
If you’re looking to revamp your home laundry set up, upgrading or replacing your old washing machine, or making the most of a great sale – it pays to consider what model is the best fit for your home.
How much can you save?
Using an 8 kg washing machine with 5 stars on the Energy Rating Label label once a day (warm wash), compared to one with 2 stars.
Assumptions based on an electricity price of $0.25.
- $100
per year
- 61 %
CO2 emissions
Why consider efficiency?
- Immediate cost savings – Your monthly energy bills will drop if you make the switch to a less power-hungry washing machine.
- Long-term cost savings – The long-term cost savings over the life of the washing machine often balance out the in-store savings of buying a cheaper, less efficient model.
- Better grid stability – A more efficient washing machine requires less energy to operate. This helps lower electricity demand and places less strain on the electricity grid at peak times.
- Lower your emissions footprint – If your current washing machine draws from a gas water heater for hot water and you switch to a model that can heat water internally (with an electric element), then you’ll see the greatest reduction in your emissions footprint.
- Less water consumption – You’ll need less energy to heat a lower amount of water during a warm wash. Using less energy will mean cost savings and if your water is metered, then you’ll reduce your water-use charges as well.
- Fewer emissions – The broader environmental benefits of energy-efficient appliances come down to long term, collective use among Kiwis. This can reduce our need to tap into fossil fuels to meet electricity demand on a national scale.
Since 2002, around 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 have been avoided by selling more efficient products and appliances in New Zealand and using regulations to remove the worst ones from the market.
Source: EECA, 2023
Front loaders vs top loaders
The right washing machine for you will depend on your personal washing needs, laundry space, and budget (both for the initial purchase and ongoing energy use).
There are two main types of washing machines – top loaders and front loaders. You can also find combination washing machine/dryers – these are usually front loaders.
- Front loaders can be more expensive upfront but offer cost savings over time. They tend to have better water and warm-wash energy efficiency. They can allow for larger-capacity loads and be gentler on your clothes, making them a great option if you wash a lot of delicate items.
- Top loaders are usually a cheaper option that wash clothes faster. But they tend to use more water and energy, making them more expensive to run.
Doing a hot wash in a washing machine with 5 stars on the Energy Rating Label generates 61% less emissions than a similar washing machine with only 2 stars.
Source: EECA, 2024
Understanding the labels
Energy Rating Labels help you compare the efficiency and running costs of similar appliances.
The star rating of an Energy Rating Label won’t tell you how much an appliance will cost to run – just that it will be cheaper than similar models with fewer stars.
The trick is to look at this along with the annual energy consumption on the label, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The lower this number, the less it will cost you to run.
Find the right washing machine
The best washer on the market depends on your household needs.
Key things to consider are whether you need a front or top loader, if you’d benefit from features like an auto-sensor or load size selector, and the capacity you need for your family.
The Gen Less Efficient Appliance Calculator can help you easily compare washing machines in New Zealand.
Common questions
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Electricity in New Zealand is largely generated by renewable sources like hydro or wind – around 80-85% in an average year. However, the remaining 15-20% is still powered using fossil fuels like coal, diesel, and natural gas.
More efficient appliances are becoming more readily available in New Zealand. These better rated products use less electricity to get those jobs done – costing you less in energy bills.
On a national scale, they also help to smooth out electricity peaks that make us more likely to tap into fossil fuels to meet high electricity demand. So, by buying a more efficient washing machine, you can save money and help reduce New Zealand’s overall emissions too.
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You can use some simple tricks to get the most out of your washer – and save on your energy bills:
- Use a cold wash – Heating water uses a lot of energy. A warm wash every five loads, or a hot wash every 10 loads, will remove dirt and detergent build-up in your machine.
- Wash full loads – Wait until the machine is full rather than doing several smaller loads.
- Adjust the water level – Choose the right setting to suit your load size or use the auto-sensing feature.
- Wash similar items together – Throw all your lightly-soiled clothes in a cold wash together and give dirtier clothes, like sports gear or cloth nappies, a separate warm or hot wash.
- Clean your machine – It might seem a bit ironic, but it is important to clean your machine and its filter regularly to ensure your clothes come out clean every time you wash them.
- Familiarise yourself with the settings – Every machine has slightly different settings. It’s important to read the user instruction manual and select the right washing programme to suit you washing needs.
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In New Zealand, washing machines are one of many energy-using products that are regulated by the government through labelling and energy performance requirements.
These regulations mean Kiwis have access to better, more energy efficient washing machines on the market – helping them save on energy bills.
By regulating these products for energy efficiency, it saved New Zealanders around $39 million in collective energy costs in the year leading up to March 2023. That’s the equivalent to the annual energy use of 37,000 Kiwi homes!
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There are two main types of washing machines in New Zealand – front loaders and top loaders. Each have benefits and limitations and may suit different types of home. Additionally, there are other factors to consider:
- Buy the most efficient model in your budget – Look for appliances with more stars on the Energy Rating Label compared to others of a similar size. Also look for models with a lower annual energy consumption figure. These two measures will help you figure out which models will cost you less to run.
- Get the right size for your household – As a guide, up to 6 kg capacity suits 1–2 people, 6–8 kg for 3–4 people, and at least 8 kg for 4 or more.
- Check the spin speed – Machines with a spin speed of 1,000rpm or higher remove more water and cut down on drying time.
- Different settings give you options – If your machine offers cold wash cycles, auto-sensing or load size selection, you’ll only use the water and energy you need.
- Use the benefits of an efficient hot water system – If you have a wetback, solar water heater, or heat pump water heater, a model with both hot and cold water connections will be cheaper to run when doing warm washes.
- Work with the space you have – Measure your space before you buy a washer. Remember, you’ll need some wiggle room for the hoses and plugs, air flow around the machine, and to allow the machine to vibrate slightly when it’s running.
Washing machines | Buying guide - Consumer NZ(external link)
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As a guide, you’ll need a capacity of:
- up to 6 kg for 1–2 people
- around 6–8 kg for 3–4 people
- at least 8 kg for 4 or more people.
It pays to go electric
Powering your home with efficient, electric appliances can save you in energy costs – and slash your carbon footprint.
We’ve done the maths on key household energy uses such as heating, water heating, cooking and driving. The numbers show that the most efficient electric options make sense financially – both in terms of monthly running costs and overall lifetime costs.
Discover how your household might stand to benefit from going electric.
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