Clothes washers are usually the second largest source of indoor water demand - about 22 percent of water use in the average home.

Efficient clothes washers use about 10 to 21 gallons of water per cycle compared to standard top-loading clothes washers, which use an average of 41 gallons per load. Efficient clothes washers generally load from the front, rather than the top, are gentler on clothes because they do not have agitators and significantly reduce energy use for hot water.

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency, a national, non-profit organization that promotes energy efficient products and services, offers a list of efficient washers and their corresponding Modified Energy Factor (MEF) and Water Factor (WF). If you purchase one of these qualifying clothes washers you may qualify to receive a rebate of up to $100, depending on the washer and your utility provider.

You can still save water, energy and money even if you are not ready to purchase a new clothes washer. Only run your washing machine with full loads, use the lowest practical water level selection, wash with the cold water cycle and use a cold water detergent.