This measure covers efficient clothes washers, clothes dryers, and combination washer/dryers in residential applications: single-family, manufactured homes, and in-unit multifamily. There are separate measure applications for the two types of combination units: laundry centers (i.e. “towers”) and all-in-ones.
There are measure applications for both gas and electric dryer fuel, and for both gas and electric water heating. Dryers can be more efficient than current practice mainly through effective auto-termination, strategic use of multi-stage heating, and, for electric dryers, a heat pump in place of electric resistance heat. Dryers can be vented or ventless.
In the Northwest, ventless dryers in conditioned spaces offer a significant HVAC benefit. Their waste heat goes into the home, which reduces heating loads (and slightly increases cooling loads). A vented dryer sends its waste heat outdoors and also increases infiltration into the home. Clothes washers can be more efficient than current practice mainly by using less hot water and by leaving less moisture in the clothes at the end of the cycle, which reduces dryer energy.
Many of the inputs to the savings analysis come from an extensive body of primary research by NEEA, including field studies, laboratory studies, and a dryer performance qualification process. More information comes from the U.S. DOE technical support documents for clothes washers and clothes dryers.
In October 2026 the measure Residential Clothes Washers was converted into this measure: Residential Laundry. The history of Residential Clothes Washers is retained below. The measure Residential Dryers was also combined into this measure.
