Water Usage of Front-Load Clothes Washer vs. Top-Load
Washing machine designers are taking great strides to create more energy- and water-efficient equipment. The days of choosing between a standard top-loader and front-loader are over. Because of availability of high-efficiency top-loaders coming from overseas, more manufacturers are catching on. Now, there are three choices: top-loaders, high-efficiency top-loaders and front-loaders. A high price doesn't guarantee water use efficiency or the best washing quality. Does this Spark an idea?
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Maximum Capacity
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Washing machines' maximum load capacity varies between 8 and 20 lbs. This factor must be taken into consideration when comparing washers. Larger models use more water and energy, while smaller models may require more wash loads to complete the same task.
Standard Top-Loader
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Standard top-loaders use a center-post agitator and are the least water-efficient of the three washer types. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average top-loading washing machine uses about 41 gallons of water per load.
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High-Efficiency Top-Loader
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Open the lid of a high-efficiency top-loader and look inside. There is no agitator. These machines tumble the clothes while spraying water into them, using up to 28 gallons per load. Several imported brands use as little as 14 gallons. For those that prefer not to bend over to load and unload, these machines are very convenient and utilize the same amount of water as front-loaders.
Front-Loaders
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The typical front-loading washing machine uses up to 28 gallons per load. Washing time is longer than a standard top-loader. Some front-loaders take 1 1/2 hours to complete the wash cycle, while it may take about 35 minutes in a top-loading machine.
Energy Star Rating
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Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Energy Star tests and rate the energy and water usage of appliances. Only the most efficient machines garner the Energy Star label. The results of this program have been impressive. "Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved enough energy in 2009 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 30 million cars---all while saving nearly $17 billion on their utility bills," reports the Environmental Protection Agency.
Ratings for Energy and Water Factors
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The highest efficiency washer models will have a high Modified Energy Factor (MEF) and a low Water Factor (WF). MEF is the measurement of its total energy efficiency, while WF measures the water consumed per cubic foot of load capacity. Both factors are shown on the product list of an Energy Star-qualified machine.
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References
- Photo Credit laundry image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
