Water, wastewater and energy utilities engaged in residential demand-side management and conservation programs are beginning to examine residential laundry appliances. For the most part, the basic technology and corresponding water and energy use from the most commonly owned residential washers in the US and Canada has changed little in the past forty years. Aside from promoting efficiency by washing with full loads or reusing graywater, few utilities and organizations have examined the savings potential of alternative residential laundry technologies. Water efficient showerheads, faucets and toilets have graduated from emerging technologies to industry standards. More efficient residential lighting, windows, insulation, heating, hot water heating, and refrigeration are also moving toward large scale residential replacement. This study examines the water and energy saving potential of horizontal axis technology to reduce water content in clothes, reduce drying times, and lower the total volume of hot water needed. The paper describes a demonstration project in Seattle, Washington, to assess the savings potential from horizontal axis clothes washers. Average water savings per cycle was 58%.