How to Measure Water Usage in a Top-Load Washing Machine
Measuring the water usage of a top-loading washing machine involves finding out how much water it uses during every wash cycle. Typically a top-load washing machine doesn't fill up all the way with water during use. You can measure the water usage of a top-load machine by finding its volume during this time. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Find the total capacity, in gallons of the top-loading washing machine. This information is typically listed in the washer's technical specifications. You can also find this information by using a tape measure to measure the total height of the compartment where you put clothes as well as the horizontal area of the compartment. Area is found by finding the radius, multiplying it by itself and then multiplying that number by 3.14. Multiply area by height to find the cubic inches of the washing machine. Divide this number by 231 (there are roughly 231 cubic inches to a gallon of water) to determine volume in gallons.
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2
Turn on the washing machine and allow it to fill up with water. Keep the lid open so you can see this process as it happens. When the washer finishes filling (not to full capacity but to the amount the washer uses during a regular cycle), the unit will shut off because the lid is open. Use a tape measure to find the distance between the bottom of the washer compartment to the current water level.
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3
Multiply the area of the compartment by the height measurement found in Step 2. Divide by 231 to find the total gallons of water your top-load washing machine is using for each load.
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