Washing Machine Choices

As a homeowner, one of the most expensive home appliances you might purchase is a washing machine. If you are in the process of upgrading your home appliances purchasing a cheap machine may save you a considerable amount of money. While cheap washing machines may save you money initially, poor quality may be an issue and cost you more in the long run. However, several cheap machines wash clothes as good as higher cost machines.

Since washing machines come in many styles and sizes, comparing them can be difficult. Following are some suggestions for comparing washing machine prices. Before one begins comparing prices you need to determine your washing needs. If you are concerned about your monthly utility bill, and would like a cheap washing machine, make sure you stick with energy-efficient models. If you hope to get all the benefits from a model such as this, make sure it has an energy star rating of at least 4.5. If you wash multiple loads of clothes during the week, your utility bills may be quite high if you use a regular machine..

The amount of clothes that you can wash at one time is determined by the tub size. If washing a large amount of clothes is your goal, you will require a washing machine with a large tub. There are inexpensive models that do have larger tub sizes, just make sure you do not overlook the energy star requirement. You might also consider the RPM of the machine you are looking for. Unfortunately, larger tub sizes and faster washing speeds will cost more.

The Front Load Washer vs. The Top Load Washer

There are two types of washing machines: front-loading and top-loading. Front-loading machines rotate the load of clothes through a small pool of water. This motion removes the soil from the clothes as they pass through the water. Top-loading washers work in a comparable manner. The laundry spins, rotates through a depressed level of water. Both types of washer may include sprayers that spread water through the clothes as the load spins.

The gentle washing motion of front loaders saves water, and lengthens the life of the clothes. By constantly moving the clothes through the water, the load never sits in dirty water as it moves back and forth.

In addition, how does a top loading model compare to the newer front load washers.

* Front loading machines use 18 to 25 gallons per load, compared to 40 gallons for top loading models..

* Front loading machines use 30 to 50 percent less energy than top loading machines.

* Front loaders require less physical space than top loading machines.

* Energy efficient models squeeze out more excess water thus lowering the time to dry the clothes. Use with an energy-efficient dryer, or a clothesline, and reduce the household carbon footprint.

Purchasing a new washing machine does cost money, but the long term savings in energy and water, and the reduced impact on the environment make purchasing a new energy-efficient washer worth the cost. Energy Star has recommended that after using an older model for 10 years you should switch to a front-loading model.

Energy Star labels are earned by high efficiency appliances. This label is backed by the U.S. Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and it identifies appliances that help reduce pollutants and greenhouse gases from our environment. In the long term, products that carry the Energy Star label will save you money

Energy Star ratings are one of the important factors to check when comparing front load washers. The machines that are energy efficient will have yellow stickers listing two important figures. These two important figures are the Modified Energy Factor (MEF) and the Water Factor (WF).

The MEF represents how energy efficient a washing machine is. The capacity, electrical energy consumption, hot water energy consumption, and energy required for drying, are all factors in an equation. The resultant numerical figure is the MEF. To be an Energy Star appliance, a washer has to have a minimum MEF of 2.0 as of January of 2011.

The WF, water factor, represents a washing machine’s ability to conserve water. This measures the amount of water used during each cycle, divided by the machine’s capacity to hold clothes. The lower the value the more efficient the washing machine. To be an Energy Star washing machine the WF must be less than 7.5.

Taking everything into consideration, your long term decision not only needs to take the specifics of each washing machine into account, you must also consider the impact your decision has on the environment.