When is it time to say goodbye to your old washing machine?

Is your washing machine on the blink? Is it starting to leak, or make a funny noise? Perhaps your clothes are no longer coming out as clean as they used to, or everything is always sopping wet at the end of a cycle. Maybe all seems fine on the surface, but you’ve had it for as long as you can remember so you think it might be time you found a replacement.

You need to take into account their energy and water consumption, as well as where you might be able to pick up a new one. Here’s everything you need to know.

Water consumption

Research shows that washing machines are only behind baths when it comes to household appliances that use the most water. The average bath consumes 80 litres, while a typical washing machine cycle gets through approximately 50 litres. If you upgrade your washing machine, it’s likely to use less water than an older model. Meanwhile, a power shower will use 13 litres per minute and an electric shower is even more efficient (five litres per minute).

Energy consumption

On the subject of showers, they are the most costly appliance to run, typically at anything between £1.75 and £2.60 for an hour. Washing machines also feature relatively high on this list, at around 30-75p for 60 minutes. This is considerably more than the likes of a dishwasher, microwave, vacuum cleaner and fridge-freezer.

You can also figure out the energy rating of your washing machine by checking the sticker, which should be on the side of the appliance. It will be given a rating of A to G, with A representing the highest levels of efficiency. If yours is rated towards the middle or lower end of the scale, it could be time for a change.

Why is it important to replace an inefficient washing machine?

An inefficient appliance is bad for two reasons. They cost more money to run because they use up more energy and they are more harmful to the environment because that excess energy means increased emissions. A new washing machine will be designed with these factors in mind, so upgrading will ensure the benefits are two-fold.

Where can you get a new washing machine?

You can order a new washing machine from well-known electrical retailers like Currys, where you can also take advantage of NHS discounts if you work for the health service. Most of the time, you can choose for your old appliance to be removed while your new one is being installed, although this service may come at an added cost.