With an energy efficient washing machine you can easily save tens to hundreds of euros a year on your energy bill, provided you actually use it in an energy efficient way. The combination of the right energy rating, the right wash temperature and a few smart habits makes the biggest difference. This article explains exactly what you can do to keep your laundry costs as low as possible.
Why using energy efficient washing machines efficiently pays off
The average washing machine is used around 150 to 200 times a year. Small differences in consumption per wash therefore add up quickly. The energy rating of a washing machine, from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), shows how many kilowatt hours (kWh) a machine uses on average per year.
Energy ratings A to G: what do they mean for your wallet?
The energy rating runs from A to G. A washing machine rated A uses roughly 46-52 kWh a year (with normal use), while a machine rated D quickly comes out at 150-180 kWh a year. At an average electricity price of around €0.32 per kWh, that soon works out at €30 to €40 a year for the washing machine alone.
- Rating A: around 46-55 kWh/year, the most energy efficient
- Rating B: around 55-80 kWh/year, very efficient
- Rating C: around 80-120 kWh/year, average
- Rating D: around 120-160 kWh/year, moderate
- Ratings E to G: above 160 kWh/year, avoid this bracket
A concrete example: say you replace an old machine rated E (approx. 200 kWh/year) with a new one rated A (approx. 52 kWh/year). That is a saving of 148 kWh a year, or around €47 a year at €0.32 per kWh. Over five years that comes to almost €240 on electricity alone.
Heinner as an example of an energy efficient washing machine without the designer price tag
At Pro Witgoed we focus on the Heinner brand. Heinner washing machines offer an excellent energy rating without the brand premium you pay with the well-known names. You pay for the engineering, not for the logo. Take a look at the full range of energy efficient washing machines from Heinner and compare the specifications for yourself.
Saving over the long term
If energy prices stay the same or rise, the payback time on an efficient machine only gets shorter. Invest in a washing machine with a good energy rating now and you will feel the benefit for the next five to ten years, with every single wash.
Choosing the right wash temperature
Heating the water accounts for roughly 80 to 90% of the total energy used per wash. The wash temperature is therefore the biggest lever you have to pull.
When is 30°C enough?
Lightly soiled laundry, think everyday clothing, synthetic fabrics and items you have simply worn without working up a sweat, washes perfectly well at 30°C. Modern detergents are formulated to be effective at low temperatures too. Washing at 30 degrees uses up to 40% less energy than washing at 60°C.
When do you need 40°C or 60°C?
For underwear, socks, towels and bedding, manufacturers and hygiene experts recommend at least 40°C, and preferably 60°C if you want a germ-free wash. The same goes for the clothes of someone who has been ill, or items with stubborn stains. In those cases the higher temperature is justified, and more effective too.
Use the cold wash programme
Many washing machines now have a cold wash programme (20°C or lower). For lightly worn clothing that needs to look fresh rather than be deep cleaned, this is the most energy efficient choice. It can save you 0.2 to 0.3 kWh per wash compared with 40°C.
Always fill the drum properly
A half-full drum uses almost as much energy as a full one, since heating the water costs the same either way. Yet you are only washing half the clothes. The result: twice as many wash cycles for the same amount of laundry.
The advice is simple: only wash when the drum is completely full, but do not overload it. An overfull drum stops the clothes moving around properly, which harms the wash result and causes extra wear, both on your clothes and on the machine itself.
A properly filled drum is also better for the life of your washing machine: the mechanical load is spread more evenly, which reduces vibration and wear on the bearings and the drum.
Wash during the off-peak or night rate
Do you have a dynamic energy contract, or a contract with a day and night rate? Then you pay less per kWh outside peak hours (usually at night and at the weekend). This is the principle behind saving with a washing machine night rate: by planning cleverly you simply pay less for exactly the same wash.
How do you set a delay?
Most modern washing machines, the Heinner models included, have a timer or a delay start function. You load the machine in the evening, set the delay to six or eight hours, and the machine starts automatically early in the morning or in the middle of the night.
How much does this save you?
With a difference of €0.08 per kWh between the peak and off-peak rate and an average of 1 kWh per wash, you save around €12 to €16 a year over 150 washes. Not spectacular on its own, but combined with other measures it adds up.
Please note: check first whether your energy contract really does have a day/night rate. If you are on a fixed rate, there is no point in taking it into account.
Maintain your washing machine for lower consumption
A dirty drum, a blocked filter or limescale all force the machine to work harder than it needs to. That costs extra energy and shortens the life of the appliance.
Clean the drum every month
Run a hot wash at 60°C once a month, preferably with a cleaning tablet or a dash of citric acid. This removes the bacteria, mould and detergent residue that build up and cause smells and inefficiency.
Check the filter every one to two months
The lint filter (usually at the bottom of the machine) gets clogged with fluff, hair and small objects. A blocked filter increases the resistance in the drainage system, so the pump has to work harder. Two minutes of cleaning saves energy and prevents faults.
Measure out your detergent correctly
Too much detergent does not get your laundry cleaner, but it does mean extra rinse cycles and higher water use. Follow the dosing instructions on the packaging and take the water hardness in your area into account.
Prevent limescale
Limescale insulates the heating elements, so the machine needs more energy to bring the water up to temperature. Use a descaler regularly, or add washing machine salts if you live in a hard water area. This extends the life of your machine considerably.
Choose the right washing machine for your situation
Not every washing machine suits every household. A machine that is too big for a small household means permanently half-empty drums and needless baseline consumption. A machine that is too small for a large family means more washes per week.
- 1-2 people: 6-7 kg drum capacity is plenty
- 3-4 people: 8-9 kg is the usual choice
- 5 people or more: consider 10 kg or a washer dryer
Heinner washing machines are available in several capacities and offer a fair price with no brand premium. Free delivery and installation, immediate delivery from stock and a full 5 year warranty come as standard at Pro Witgoed, no hidden costs, no surprises afterwards. Take a look at our full washing machine range and compare capacity, energy rating and price side by side.
Still not sure which model suits you best? Our customer service team will help you straight away and in person, without the sales patter.
Combine it with an energy efficient tumble dryer for extra savings
In many households the tumble dryer is the biggest energy guzzler in the utility room, even more so than the washing machine itself. Making a considered choice here as well increases your saving considerably.
Heat pump tumble dryer versus condenser tumble dryer
A condenser tumble dryer uses an average of 4 to 5 kWh per drying cycle. A heat pump tumble dryer uses 1.5 to 2.5 kWh for the same result, a saving of around 50 to 60%. The purchase price of a heat pump tumble dryer is a little higher, but with heavy use the payback time is two to three years.
Spin the washing at a high spin speed
The less moisture left in the washing when it goes into the tumble dryer, the less work the tumble dryer has to do. Spin at 1200 to 1400 rpm where you can. Do keep an eye on the care label of delicate fabrics, as some materials cannot take a high spin speed.
Heinner tumble dryers as an affordable alternative
In the tumble dryer segment too, Heinner offers a strong alternative to the big brands. Take a look at the energy efficient tumble dryers or compare the full tumble dryer range. Short of space, or would you rather have everything in one appliance? Then have a look at our washer dryers for a compact, complete solution.
Frequently asked questions
Which energy rating does the most energy efficient washing machine have?
Rating A is the most energy efficient rating for washing machines on the current European scale (A to G). A washing machine rated A uses an average of 46 to 55 kWh a year with normal use.
How much electricity does a washing machine use per wash?
A modern energy efficient washing machine uses an average of 0.5 to 1.0 kWh per wash, depending on the programme and the temperature. Older machines, or wash programmes at 60°C, can use 1.5 to 2.0 kWh per cycle.
Is washing at 30 degrees really more energy efficient?
Yes. Because 80 to 90% of the energy used per wash goes on heating the water, dropping from 60°C to 30°C soon cuts electricity use per wash by 40%. Modern detergents work effectively at low temperatures too.
What is the advantage of the eco programme?
The eco programme is designed to keep total energy and water use as low as possible. It usually runs for longer than a standard wash programme, but it uses less water and a lower temperature. For an average wash day it is the most efficient choice.
Can I leave the washing machine running overnight?
Technically you can, but most manufacturers and fire services advise against leaving large household appliances running unattended at night. A safer alternative is to set the timer so that the machine finishes shortly after you wake up, so you can check on it as it ends.
How often should I clean my washing machine for the best efficiency?
Clean the drum at least once a month with a 60°C cleaning programme or a cleaning tablet. Check and clean the lint filter every one to two months. That way you prevent bacteria, smells and the extra energy use that comes with a dirty machine.
Which drum capacity is energy efficient for a family of 4?
For a family of four, a drum capacity of 8 to 9 kg is usually the most efficient. You can fill the drum completely without running too many separate washes, which brings down the energy used per kilo of laundry.
Does Pro Witgoed supply energy efficient washing machines with a warranty?
Yes. Every washing machine from Pro Witgoed comes with a full 5 year warranty, free delivery and installation, and is available straight from stock. Take a look at the current range of energy efficient washing machines or go to our current offers for the sharpest prices right now.
Conclusion
Washing efficiently is not a matter of one big change, but of a combination of small, smart choices: the right energy rating, the right temperature, a full drum and good maintenance. Choose a Heinner washing machine from Pro Witgoed on top of that and you pay only for what really counts, reliable engineering, without the brand premium.
