This Home Energy Brief focuses on cleaning appliances. The Brief covers cold water washing, efficient dryers, and dishwashers. Dishwashers and clothes washers and dryers all use a lot of energy and water and are responsible for a significant portion of the average household’s energy bill. Often, this warrants a change in the equipment being used and/or the habits of those using the equipment. By utilizing the advice in this Brief, you can potentially save up to 50 percent of the energy and water used by washing equipment, without lowering the quality of the service the appliance provides. As of 2012, the Home Energy Briefs have been updated and adapted to Southern California Edison’s Online Home Energy Guide.