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?
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Martha Norbeck
PresidentC-Wise Design and Consulting
69 thumbs up
December 9, 2020 - 2:04 pm
I have a similar question. (I hope USGBC staff are checking here) There is no allowance for what to do if the unit is of a type to which Energy Star criteria do not apply. The largest unit is 8 cf for commercial washers and my project is looking at an Industrial capacity. More clarity on how to deal with commercial units would be appreciated.
emily reese moody
Sustainability Director, Certifications & ComplianceJacobs
LEEDuser Expert
447 thumbs up
October 17, 2022 - 12:58 pm
I would assume that your washer would need to be equivalent if ENERGY STAR doesn't directly apply. The v4 Guide (which v4.1 tells you to still refer back to) lists CEE Tier 3A as applying to commercial clothes washers; v4.1, however, updates that as follows (though they have it listed in the International Guidance section):
The CEE Commercial Clothes Washer Specification is no longer active. Commercial clothes washers require the ENERGY STAR label or performance equivalent.
Hope that helps. You can email LEED Coach directly if you want to be certain that this approach is what's appropriate.