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Cold wash – the cool and modern way to launder

Panel: 7. Appliances, product policy and the ICT supply chain

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Barbara Josephy, Topten International Services TIS, Switzerland
Eric Bush, Topten International Services, Switzerland
Sophie Attali, Topten International Services TIS
Francisco R. Zuloaga, Sustainable Energy Consultant

Abstract

Heating-up cold tap water to 30°C, 40°C, 60°C or even 90°/95°C uses the lion’s share of washing machines’ electricity consumption. «Cold wash» – washing at 15°/20°C – saves around 60% electricity compared to a cycle at 40°C. Thus, «cold wash» holds a tremendous energy saving potential, not matched by any other measure in the whole washing process. In EU-27 «cold wash» can save up to 11 TWh per year, 2’200 millions Euros per year or the annual production of the nuclear power plant Emsland.

The EU Ecodesign Regulation 1015/2010 requires washing machines to offer a washing cycle at 20°C. A variety of detergent designed for a temperature range from 15°/20°C up to 60°/90°C are available in Europe. Despite all of this, prejudices, traditions and habits prevent most consumers from cold-washing. Discussions on «cold wash» – especially on the washing performance – are often controversial and emotional.

To contribute to the debate with impartial and scientific facts, Topten (www.topten.eu) arranged 24 test situations and carried out 18 tests in collaboration with the VDE Testing and Certification Institute and the consumer organisation Stiftung Warentest in December 2014. The tests measure the washing performance and energy consumption of washing cycles under several combinations of factors: temperature (20°C and at 40°C); detergent (three different products), washing machines (three models), loading (half- and full-load) and pre-treatment (or not) of stains.

The paper presents and analyses test results. It concludes with recommendations for various stakeholders such as EU policy makers, retailers, producers, NGOs and academia.

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Download this paper as pdf: 7-187-15_Josephy.pdf