In the EPA's certified washer data, front-load washers use less energy and water than top-load washers on average. Here are the medians for certified models:
| Type | Models | Median energy | Yearly cost | Per load | Median water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Load | 208 | 104 kWh | $19 | $0.06 | 3,841 gal |
| Top Load | 116 | 145 kWh | $26 | $0.09 | 6,292 gal |
At 18.16¢ per kWh, the gap between the two medians is about $7 a year, or about $74 over 10 years at today's price. Water and sewer savings come on top, but rates vary too much by town for a fair national dollar figure.
The EPA figure includes water heating with an electric water heater and the drying energy for the moisture left in the clothes, so a washer that spins clothes drier also lowers the dryer's work. ENERGY STAR advises comparing a higher Integrated Modified Energy Factor (IMEF) and a lower Integrated Water Factor (IWF); both are on each model page.
Lowest running cost is not always the best value: capacity, price, and whether you can bend to a front-loader matter too.
Related: Front-load washers, ranked · Top-load washers, ranked · How much does it cost to run a washing machine?