Sac County Offers High Efficiency Washing Machine Rebate

The Sacramento County Water Agency along with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is offering customers a rebate, worth up to $100, to replace their old washing machine with a new, more efficient clothes washer.

Most old-style clothes washing machines use on average 45 gallons of water per load. High efficiency models cut that number by more than 60 percent by using only 15 gallons per load, which translates into lower water and energy bills. While these washers save a lot in water and energy, they are also gentler on your clothes.

The new models come in several configurations: top, front and slant loading. Qualifying efficient clothes washers cost typically between $600 and $1100 compared to conventional machines which typically cost around $400 – $500. But when thinking about costs you need to consider the purchase and the operating costs. These two elements combine to make what we call the Life-Cycle Cost, or the amount you would expect to pay to buy the machine and to run it over the life of the unit, typically between 10 and 15 years. The high efficiency clothes washers initially cost more, but they cost considerably less to operate.

Typical users can expect to save between $50 and $90 a year on electricity, water and sewer charges. When you figure in operating cost savings alone, you will recover your cost in as little as 3 years.

Benefits to Using High Efficient Washing Machines:

• Wash clothes cleaner
• Use less detergent
• Wash more gently
• Handle large and bulky items with ease
• Friendlier to the environment
• Shorten dryer time
• Save you money

To be eligible to receive this rebate you must have purchased a new, high efficiency qualifying clothes washer between Dec. 12, 2007 – June 30, 2008 and the purchase must be installed at a site served by Sacramento County Water Agency.

To take advantage of this opportunity, residents must submit a rebate application form within 30 days of installing your clothes washer. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2008.

For more information and to obtain a copy of the rebate form, visit the Water Agency’s website.