My washing machine has an ‘eco’ setting, which makes the machine program take about an hour longer than without the setting. Why is this the case, and how much difference does it make? I would think that longer operation would amount to both more water and power usage but the machine itself claims otherwise.
Also, does it matter more or less for higher machine temperatures?
In: Technology
The most energy intensive component of a load of laundry is heating up the water. Water takes a lot of energy to heat up. Heating up the water uses ~90% of the total energy of a load of laundry. Eco settings use less water than normal, and at a lower temperature. To compensate for that, and to make sure your clothes are still clean, it runs longer. It seems counter intuitive, but the actual washing machine itself uses relatively little energy.
Eco settings try to spend less energy in heating up water and forcefully propelling it, so, they make up for it by longer cycles.
It is incredibly more efficient to use colder water for longer than to use hotter water for a shorter period of time.
In addition, dishwashers can use the same water repeatedly only diluting the water as needed. I’m not sure if washers do the same thing, but would assume similar. This also saves on the need for detergent too, because you aren’t flushing out the detergent after the first wash.
Say you’re driving from A to B. You could charge there at 90mph, you’d get there very quickly but you’d use a lot of fuel in the process.
Or you could putter along at 45, it would take twice as long but would use a lot less fuel.
It’s the same with your washing machine, and even your dishwasher. The eco cycle might take longer, but it’s not using as much power overall – it’s just taking its time, probably by washing more thoroughly but at a lower temperature.
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