In December 2005, the U.S. Dept. of Energy revised its ENERGY STAR^® specification for residential clothes washers. The new specification, which becomes effective Jan. 1, 2007, includes a Modified Energy Factor (MEF) of 1.72 and a Water Factor (WF) of 8.0.

CEE’s Appliance Committee had recommended that ENERGY STAR adopt the CEE Tier 1 levels (1.8 MEF, 7.5 WF), which become effective on the same date.

“While it is disappointing that the ENERGY STAR levels are less stringent than CEE’s Tier 1, it is encouraging and significant that ENERGY STAR is including Water Factor for the first time,” said CEE Senior Residential Program Manager Rebecca Foster.

CEE’s clothes washer specifications are divided into three tiers, with Tier 1 the least efficient. Tiers 2 and 3 range from 2.0 to 2.2 MEF and 6.0 to 4.5 WF.

The new federal minimum standard, effective Jan. 1, 2007, calls for an MEF of 1.26. There is no Water Factor requirement.

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