W08: Water Efficient Front-Loading Washing Machines – Above Green

Requirement Summary

This measure can be claimed when all the washing machines used in the laundry of a hotel or serviced apartment are front loading washing machines with high water efficiency.

Intention

Using high efficient front-loading washing machines reduces the water used for laundry. Other benefits, of high efficient washing machines, include energy saving due to the reduction of hot water use, better performance in cleaning the clothes, reduce fabric wear, and usually less detergent use.

Approach/Methodologies

The measure can be claimed if all the washing machines in the laundry use 6 liters of water per kilogram of clothes washed or less.

Potential Technologies/Strategies

There are two types of washing machines available in the market, top loading and front loading. While top loading need more water in order to cover the clothes inside, the front loading require about a third. The high efficiency washers are high-tech machines that use less water (both hot and cold water) and energy, while are more effective in cleaning the clothes compared to the standard ones. This is because in the front loading the washer moves the clothes through the water using gravity to create more agitation.

Relationship to Other Measures

Using a water-efficient washing machine not only reduces cold water demand but also hot water demand. Therefore, when this measure is selected the energy consumption is decreased due to water heating, as well as miscellaneous equipment, which is included within "Others".

Assumptions

The base case assumption is a standard washing machine that uses 10 liters per kilogram of clothes per cycle, while the improved case assumes a water usage of 6 liters per kilogram of clothes per cycle. This is equivalent to Water Consumption Factor (WCF)* of 5.94l/kg/cycle or 4.5gal/cu.ft/cycle.

Compliance Guidance

Design Stage

Post-Construction Stage

At the design stage, the following must be used to demonstrate compliance:

Manufacturer’s data sheet for washing machine(s) selected with information on the water consumption and maximum load capacity in kilograms.

At the post-construction stage, the following must be used to demonstrate compliance:

Photographs of installed front loading washing machine(s); or
Purchase receipts and delivery note for washing machine(s).