LOTT Offers Rebates to Encourage Use of Water-Efficient Washing Machinesby Karla Fowler Every year, a traditional washing machine wastes as much water as the average person drinks in a lifetime. To encourage the conservation of water and help diminish flow to wastewater treatment facilities, the LOTT Wastewater Management Partnershipand the water utilities of the cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater have joined a regional partnership to promote the use of water- and energy-efficient tumble-action (front-loading) washing machines. The Northwest WashWise program, the largest market-transformation program in the United States, is funded by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, a consortium of more than 130 utilities. The Northwest consortium is offering a $130 instant discount on 15 qualifyingwashing machines, many of which are already in retailers' showrooms. To increase the incentive for Lacey-Olympia-Tumwater area residents, the local partnership is adding a $70 rebate on machines that will be installed in residences that receive LOTT sewer service. In addition, the local partnership is providing dealer support and media assistance. Through a combination of an aggressive radio and newspaper campaign, and by offering the discounts and rebates on selected tumble-action washing machines, the WashWise program will inform, educate and persuade consumers that purchasing a front-loading machine makes both environmental and financial sense. This simple change in a household laundry room appliance will have a huge impact on the consumption of electric, gas, and water resources, as well as helping preserve wastewater treatment capacity. Although the machines are commonly used in European countries and in laundromats domestically, U.S. consumers are not well informed as to the many advantages the machines offer. Tumble-action - front-loading - machines tumble clothes in a small pool of detergent-filled water, then extract the water through a series of high-speed spin cycles. They use up to 40 percent less water, 60 percent less electricity (including less drying time) and 60 percent less detergent than standard top-loading machines, savings that over time help offset the initial higher cost of the tumble-action machines. In addition, front-loading washers are gentler on clothes and get clothes cleaner than most standard machines. The discount and rebate offering is designed to further offset the higher initial cost of the tumble-action machines and bring the cost inline with better-quality standard machines. Machines qualifying for the WashWise discount and rebate include models manufactured by Asko, Creda, Fridgidaire, Gibson and Staber. Amana and Maytag will begin marketing qualifying tumble-action machines within a few weeks. The campaign, which started in early June, has already generated significant response locally. In Thurston County, six retailers have so far signed up to participate in the WashWise program, agreeing to offer the discounts and stock qualifying tumble-action models. The local participating retailers are Harold's Appliance, Home Appliance & Mattress, McKinney's Appliance, Southwest Services, Future Shop and Sears. Since the program started, several retailers have reported increased interest in, and sales of, tumble-action machines. Not all participating retailers have received their supply of machines or their rebate materials, and as the 1997 campaign progresses, additional retailers are expected to come on board. Recognizing the common need to promote the conservation of water and the reduction of flows to the wastewater treatment facility, LOTT and the water utilities of Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater are cooperatively supporting the WashWise program. Later this year, the partnership will offer indoor commercial and institutional water audits for large customers, and residential and commercial toilet replacement programs as well. In addition, each of the local partners are independently offering a variety of other flow reduction programs that all together will help preserve precious resources and capacity at the LOTT wastewater treatment plant. For more information on the WashWise program and the up to $200 in discounts/rebates on qualifying machines contact:
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