What Makes A Front Load Washer Efficient

August 07, 2019   bathroom   3 comments  

Front load washing machines use far less energy and resources than their top load competitors. Exactly what makes a front load washer efficient is that, due to their engineering, they don’t require an agitator or as much water as top loaded models. In a standard, non front-loading washing machine, clothing is placed into a drum that generally has a long rod facing upward in the center of it, called an agitator. Clothing must be positioned around that agitator, detergent placed into the washer, and then filled with enough water to submerse all of the clothing. Once this has been accomplished the washing can begin. In a front load washing machine, the clothing is placed into the washing basin, which is usually larger than in top-load models, because an agitator is not present and thus, does not waste space. Detergent is then placed into the machine and water begins to fill. Unlike in a top load, washing machine, front loaders don’t need to fully submerse clothing, because the drum in these types of washing machines spin horizontally. Meaning the clothing is continually being rotated on top of each other and subsequently being submerged and taken out of the water that fills, usually, only half of the drum. If that front load washing machine is Energy Star rated, the savings in resources and energy is increased even more.

As an example of the energy efficiency found in Energy Star rated appliances we will take the washing machine. An Energy Star rated washing machine, is first designed to do its job. All Energy Star rated major home appliances, not just washing machines, are required to perform to a standard expected by any user of that particular appliance. However, in order to earn the right to bear the Energy Star rated logo, that appliance must also perform the aforementioned, expected operating effectiveness, while simultaneously doing so conserving a certain percent of energy. In the case of an Energy Star rated washing machine, that energy efficiency means that the washer uses nearly 45 percent less energy to do the same job, or a better job, than all competing, non Energy Star rated washing machines and/or other major home appliances. That energy savings is enormous and when compounded over the course of a year, several years, decade, or the life of any particular Energy Star rated major home appliance, including the washing machine (which happens to be one of the most dramatic examples of how Energy Star worthy technology reduces energy use), adds up to significant financial savings.