US will no longer require small washing machines to meet efficiency standards

The US Energy Department plans to remove all energy efficiency requirements for compact residential clothes washers. This means manufacturers will no longer have to design these smaller machines to save energy.

For years, appliance manufacturers have had to meet specific energy efficiency targets for all washing machines, including compact models. This rule change means they can now build and sell compact washers that use more energy and water. It removes a cost and design constraint for manufacturers, potentially making compact washers cheaper but more expensive to operate.