1) Dual flush toilets. You're right - the water-saving ones suck ass. The dual-flush fix every problem water efficient toilets have. I say this as someone who has had to buy three toilets recently. 2) The problem washers face these days is low-phosphorus detergent, added to reduce algal blooms in municipal waterworks. A modern, efficient front-loader kicks the shit out of anything that's come since, and if you throw in a little oxy-clean you're rawkin'. I say this as someone who has bought three washing machines in 18 months. 3) It's tough not buying a sensor dryer and they get stuff perfectly dry. I say this as someone who has bought 3 dryers in 18 months. None of this has anything to do with energy star - this is federally mandated while energy star is a voluntary standard.