Washing machines

Electricity in New Zealand is largely generated by renewable sources like hydro or wind – around 80-85% in an average year. However, the remaining 15-20% is still powered using fossil fuels like coal, diesel, and natural gas.

More efficient appliances are becoming more readily available in New Zealand. These better rated products use less electricity to get those jobs done – costing you less in energy bills.

On a national scale, they also help to smooth out electricity peaks that make us more likely to tap into fossil fuels to meet high electricity demand. So, by buying a more efficient washing machine, you can save money and help reduce New Zealand’s overall emissions too.

You can use some simple tricks to get the most out of your washer – and save on your energy bills:

• Use a cold wash – Heating water uses a lot of energy. A warm wash every five loads, or a hot wash every 10 loads, will remove dirt and detergent build-up in your machine.
• Wash full loads – Wait until the machine is full rather than doing several smaller loads.
• Adjust the water level – Choose the right setting to suit your load size or use the auto-sensing feature.
• Wash similar items together – Throw all your lightly-soiled clothes in a cold wash together and give dirtier clothes, like sports gear or cloth nappies, a separate warm or hot wash.
• Clean your machine – It might seem a bit ironic, but it is important to clean your machine and its filter regularly to ensure your clothes come out clean every time you wash them.
• Familiarise yourself with the settings – Every machine has slightly different settings. It’s important to read the user instruction manual and select the right washing programme to suit you washing needs.

In New Zealand, washing machines are one of many energy-using products that are regulated by the government through labelling and energy performance requirements.

These regulations mean Kiwis have access to better, more energy efficient washing machines on the market – helping them save on energy bills. 

By regulating these products for energy efficiency, it saved New Zealanders around $39 million in collective energy costs in the year leading up to March 2023. That’s the equivalent to the annual energy use of 37,000 Kiwi homes!

There are two main types of washing machines in New Zealand – front loaders and top loaders. Each have benefits and limitations and may suit different types of home. Additionally, there are other factors to consider:

• Buy the most efficient model in your budget – Look for appliances with more stars on the Energy Rating Label compared to others of a similar size. Also look for models with a lower annual energy consumption figure. These two measures will help you figure out which models will cost you less to run.
• Get the right size for your household – As a guide, up to 6 kg capacity suits 1–2 people, 6–8 kg for 3–4 people, and at least 8 kg for 4 or more.
• Check the spin speed – Machines with a spin speed of 1,000rpm or higher remove more water and cut down on drying time.
• Different settings give you options – If your machine offers cold wash cycles, auto-sensing or load size selection, you’ll only use the water and energy you need.
• Use the benefits of an efficient hot water system – If you have a wetback, solar water heater, or heat pump water heater, a model with both hot and cold water connections will be cheaper to run when doing warm washes.
• Work with the space you have – Measure your space before you buy a washer. Remember, you’ll need some wiggle room for the hoses and plugs, air flow around the machine, and to allow the machine to vibrate slightly when it’s running.

Washing machines | Buying guide - Consumer NZ(external link)

As a guide, you’ll need a capacity of: 

• up to 6 kg for 1–2 people
• around 6–8 kg for 3–4 people
• at least 8 kg for 4 or more people.