We have a project that includes commercial washers.  The basis of design is a top load light commercial washer.  From the Energy Star website, a top load commercial washer is not eligible for Energy Star.  The data included with the washer being proposed indicates it would not meet the MEF or IWF requirements of Energy Star for any of the washer types.  It's curious to me why Energy Star applies to top load residential washers and not commercial washers.  In any case, LEED states commercial clothes washers must meet Energy Star or performance equivalent.  Since the top load commercial washer is not eligible for Energy Star, does that mean it does not need to meet this prerequisite?  If it does, what is the "performance equivalent" for a top load commercial washer, would it be the performance of the front load commercial washer?  We may be able to substitute a front load washer to meet this requirement, but I'm wondering if the top load washer can be an option?