Washing Machine Capacities Explained
As washing machine technology advances, the options for water and energy efficient features have expanded. Models now come as top loading or front loading, and regular or super capacity. While the difference between a top loader and a front loader is obvious, washer capacity is not. Many times a manufacturer will advertise its machine as able to wash so many pairs of jeans or be able to handle a king-sized comforter, but this has little to do with what the machine's washing capacity is. Does this Spark an idea?
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Capacity Defined
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Capacity refers to the washing machine's tub. This measurement can be expressed in cubic feet, referring to the size of the tub and the amount of water the tub can hold, or it can be listed as pounds or kilograms, referring to how much weight the tub can handle. Typically, capacities range from 8 to 15 lbs., or 2-1/2 to 4-1/2 cubic feet. The larger the capacity, the more clothes you can wash at one time. Of course, a larger machine uses more water and more energy, but if you have a large family, the energy saved from doing one load as opposed to three with a smaller capacity washer is greater.
Marketing Terms
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A label boasting super or extra capacity can be misleading. The average washing machine has a capacity of about 11 lbs. This can accommodate a household of two efficiently. A family of four may require a larger capacity of around 15 lbs. so that instead of two small loads, one larger load is run. Machines that have 20 lbs. capacities are typically found in hotels or Laundromats, where bedding and other large items or loads are washed frequently.
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Energy Saving and Load Size
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Because a machine's capacity is 11 lbs., it doesn't always mean that you have to fill it to save energy. Some machines have a load sensor feature that adjusts water level and wash times automatically depending on the size of the load. If the washer does not have a load sensor, washing a half load of laundry on the full cycle will waste energy, so it's better to wait until you have a full load.
Capacity Ratings and Energy Star
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In the past, discrepancies between the capacities or volume listed in a manufacturer's literature and what was listed on the U.S. Department of Energy's site have confused consumers. This is because manufacturer's could, until recently, calculate the capacity of their machines differently. Some manufactures based their capacity calculations on the International Electrotechnical Commission test procedures, and these determine volume differently for high efficiency washers that don't use a central agitator. The Energy Star website lists volumes based on the department of energy's test procedures, and this volume is what you see on the yellow Federal Trade Commission's Energy Guide labels. For this reason, new top loader machines are listed with a slightly larger capacity in the manufacturer's literature, than the FTC label. However, according to Energy Star, as of May 2011, most manufacturer's will cite only the capacities calculated using the U.S. Department of Energy's test procedures. So the volume on the FTC label and that in the product literature will be the same, reducing the previous confusion.
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References
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