Let’s face it: Doing laundry is a drag, but it’s also a necessary part of life (and something most of us are doing constantly). Instead of dreading the chore, I try to find ways to make it better. That’s why I love Energy Star certified appliances. They’re better for your clothes, better for you and your family, and better for the environment. Oh, and did I mention they have a lot of money, too! Here’s why:

Better for you – Energy Star certified clothes washers and dryers deliver superior efficiency and performance by incorporating advanced features that save energy. Compared to standard machines, they are much more efficient and can save $490 over their lifetime, which is a great savings for most families.

Better for the environment – Saving energy means that these washers and dryers help protect the climate, benefitting kids and the planet for years to come. Over the lifetime of the product, these washers save 1,100 kWh and more than 2.5 million BTUs of natural gas and 33,000 gallons of water. If all washers sold in the U.S. were Energy Star certified, we would save more than $4 billion each year and prevent more than 19 billion pounds of carbon pollution annually. This is equal to the emissions from 1.7 million vehicles.

Better for clothes – These washers use a variety of sophisticated cleaning methods that are gentler and the dryers use less heat and offer sensor drying which reduces wear and tear on clothes.

Plus, look at all the cool features:

Energy Star Washers

• • Multiple configurations – Available in either front-load or redesigned top-load.
  • Sophisticated wash systems – Top-load machines clean clothing just like standard models without wasting water to fill up the tub. Instead, these machines use sophisticated wash systems to cycle clothes through a mixture of water and detergent, allowing the clothes to be cleaned without using excess.
  • No central agitator – Front-load machines tumble clothes through a small amount of water instead of rubbing clothes against an agitator, while advanced top-load machines lift and tumble clothes through a reduced stream of water. Both designs dramatically reduce the amount of hot water and energy used in the wash cycle.
  • High spin speed – Efficient motors spin clothes two to three times faster to extract more water. Less moisture in the clothes means less time in the dryer and less energy spent drying clothes.

Energy Star Dryers

• Low Heat Setting –  Look for the cycle that uses the least amount of energy, sometimes known as the “energy-saving” selection.
• Sensor Dry – Prevent extra wear on fabric from over-drying.
• Steam Cycles – Help save time on ironing clothes by preventing wrinkles.

Wondering where you can purchase an Energy Star certified washer or dryer? Head over to Best Buy. They have lots of models available at great prices and more information to help you select the ideal appliance for your home.