Fundamentally, a washing machine is a rather simple appliance. It connects to the hot and cold water supplies, has a motorized tub that fills with water and churns the clothes, and has a drain that empties the tub. But, of course, contemporary washing machines are much, much more. They automate just about every task involved in cleaning clothes.

To do their job, automatic washers use a considerable amount of water and electricity. Just how much of both depends upon the efficiency and performance features built into a particular model. Many features are available to boost how efficiently a washing machine performs.