Finding the Best Washer
An "H-axis" washer is the most efficient kind. Most of these are front-loaders. They use less water (therefore less hot water, therefore less energy to heat the water). A front-loader washer has the added bonus of spinning faster, which gets rid of more moisture so your dryer doesn't have to work so hard. It takes more energy to cook wet clothes dry than spin out the moisture. Some people will tell you a front-loader washer get clothes cleaner. I have no opinion on this.
 You want a washer that lets you choose warm and cold wash settings and cold rinse settings. Also look for a washer that lets you lower the water level for smaller loads. A suds-saver setting is a plus, too.
Check with your water and electricity utilities to see if they have rebates for any energy-efficient washing machines.
By the way, EnergyGuide labels are great and all, but they aren't required to tell you what you really need to know. They give you the estimated energy use for 416 loads of laundry per year for a washer. However, some washers hold larger loads, some smaller. What you need to know is the energy factor, which combines the washer capacity and energy consumption per cycle. Some manufacturers will provide this on request.
If this is all making you worry that your ninth grade algebra teacher is going to give you a pop quiz, take heart. You can't go wrong if you get a washer with an EnergyStar® rating.
You want to install the washer as close to the water heater as possible and insulate the water pipes between the washer and water heater. Installation can affect your energy costs, too.
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