Energy-Efficient Washer Dryer | What Actually Saves

An energy-efficient washer dryer starts with the ENERGY STAR label, not marketing promises. The certification marks residential front-loaders, top-loaders over 1.6 cubic feet, and all-in-one washer-dryer combos that meet current standards. That label, tied to a specification effective February 5, 2018, remains the single most reliable shortcut when you’re comparing models side by side.

What Makes a Washer Dryer ENERGY STAR Certified?

ENERGY STAR certifies residential clothes washers—both standard front- and top-load models larger than 1.6 cu. ft.—plus combination all-in-one washer-dryers with air-only drying that meet the clothes-washer criteria. Air-only drying matters: the dryer portion uses no added heat, which is where much of the energy saving comes from.

Qualifying products also earn a spot on ENERGY STAR’s Most Efficient list. For 2025, that list runs from January 1 through December 31 and includes standard-sized washers plus eligible all-in-one combos, giving buyers a short roster of the top performers each year.

Not every combo qualifies, though. Some older all-in-one categories were treated differently by the EPA historically, so confirm the specific model carries current certification rather than assuming the category is covered.

Do New Federal Standards Change the Picture?

Yes, and the timeline matters for your purchase. The U.S. Department of Energy finalized new efficiency standards for residential clothes washers and dryers on February 29, 2024, with compliance required starting March 1, 2028. Any machine you buy today will meet current rules, but models purchased closer to that deadline will face stricter requirements.

That creates a practical decision point. If your current set is aging, replacing it now with an ENERGY STAR model locks in savings sooner. If you’re shopping for the long haul, waiting until 2028 means even stricter efficiency baselines—but you’d run an older, less efficient machine in the meantime.

What Do Current Combo Models Actually Deliver?

All-in-one washer-dryer combos are the fastest-growing category in this space, and the published specs show why.

Those figures come from LG’s internal testing with specific DOE standard loads—they’re marketing claims, not guarantees. Your actual savings vary with load weight, cycle selection, water temperature, and ambient conditions. Treat “up to” numbers as a ceiling, not an average.

Before buying, check two practical details. First, use HE (High-Efficiency) detergent in the WM6998HVA and similar combos—standard detergent creates excess suds that ventless dryers struggle to remove. Second, verify your home’s electrical setup; the WM9998HBA’s standard 120V plug handles most US outlets, but larger vented models may need a 240V circuit.

For a tested lineup of models worth your money, our roundup of the best energy-efficient washer dryers compares real specs and trade-offs side by side.

How Do You Compare Models Without Getting Misled?

Skip the marketing math and lean on official filters. The ENERGY STAR clothes washer product finder lets you sort certified models by size, type, and estimated yearly cost, which beats comparing manufacturer claims across brands. When a combo catches your eye, confirm it meets the all-in-one air-only drying criteria rather than assuming the category qualifies.

Two mistakes trip up most shoppers. First, assuming every washer-dryer combo is ENERGY STAR certified—only those meeting the listed criteria qualify. Second, treating “up to” energy savings as guaranteed household savings; those figures depend entirely on your usage patterns. And if you see efficiency labels from non-US sources, ignore them for comparison; Australia’s October 2024 label changes, for one, don’t apply to American standards.

One final note on timing: machines bought now already meet current DOE rules, but the March 2028 standards will raise the bar. If your laundry room can wait, prices on compliant models should improve as manufacturers retool. If it can’t, an ENERGY STAR unit purchased today still beats running a ten-year-old washer through another cycle.