Today's
TECHNOLOGY AND YOU

Q: I need to replace my old clothes washer. I'm considering a quiet ultra-rinsing front-loading design. I have allergies and my skin is sensitive to detergents. Are these designs miserly on energy and water too? - D. S.

A: Front-loading washers (horizontal tub axis) are heads above top-loaders (vertical tub axis with an agitator) in cleaning and rinsing, and in energy, water and detergent savings. These super-efficient washers have been used in Europe for many years (and imported into the United States) and now more American manufacturers are also making them.

Using a front-loader can save a typical family of four at least $100 per year in energy, water and detergent costs. For example, large capacity American-made front-loading washers use 40 percent less water, 65 percent less energy and 30 percent less detergent than typical large top-loaders. They also save floor space because you can stack the dryer on top of the washer.

Another energy-saving benefit is shorter drying time — 30 percent less than with a standard top-loader. With the front-loading design, these washers have adjustable spin speeds, up to a very fast 1,600 rpm, to remove 94 percent more water from the wet clothes. Several designs also use a microprocessor-controlled soft-start spin cycle. It starts slowly to allow the wet clothes to evenly distribute themselves for vibration-free spinning.

For people with detergent-sensitive skin, this high-speed spin is an advantage. It removes nearly of all the detergent residue too. Some of the top-of-the-line models have an extra fourth and fifth-rinse feature for extra-sensitive people and for use with special fabrics.

The entire washing and rinsing process is different with a front-loader. The drum spins on a horizontal axis and needs no agitator. This creates more room for large quilts, parkas, etc., and treats clothes more gently for a longer life. The fabrics are not beat against the agitator thousands of times each washing cycle. The more thorough rinsing also improves the life and appearance of the clothes.

In a front-loader, clothes are gently tumbled and lifted in and out of the water as the drum rotates. Scooping fins in the drum are designed to ladle the sudsy water to the top and let it shower down through the fabrics. For washing woolen clothes and other delicate fabrics, snap in an optional wool rack that gently rocks the clothes through the water instead of tumbling them.

Many front-loaders have built-in water-heating elements to fine tune the wash and rinse temperatures. This allows you to save additional energy by setting your water heater temperature lower, yet still have effective hot water washing when needed for heavily spoiled clothes. On several designs there is only a cold water hookup for simpler installation.

Some models automatically determine how much water is needed for the specific load of laundry and have up to nine washing/temperature cycles. You can select the most efficient settings. Detergent, bleach and softener are introduced automatically at the proper times.

Miele uses a microprocessor-controlled hydromatic washing action. The drum rotates at a slow 40 rpm for 5.5 seconds in the sudsing stage. It stops for 4 seconds to let the clothes soak in the sudsy water. Next, it speeds up to 55 rpm for 5.5 seconds in the washing stage. This cycle continuously repeats throughout the wash cycle.

James Dulley is a mechanical engineer who writes on a wide variety of energy and utility topics. His column appears in a large number of daily newspapers.

Copyright 1996 James Dulley

18 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING OCTOBER 1997

Space and time-saving combination front-loading washer/dryers are available. These do both the washing and drying in the same unit from start to finish. You just put the dirty clothes in the combination unit, add the detergent and take out clean dry clothes at the end of the cycle. These are very popular in Europe.

There are also portable models on casters available that use a non-outdoor venting condensing drying process. This process pulls the moisture out of the clothes, condenses it and collects it in a small pan. Slide out the condensate pan and empty it at the end of the cycle. It also has a built-in water heating element so only cold water is needed. With a faucet adapter kit, it can be used anywhere in your house that has a sink nearby.

Write for Utility Bills Update No. 651 - buyer's guide of 15 new front-loader, top-loader and combination washer/dryers, load capacities, speeds, cycles, features, prices and operating costs. Please include $2 (with checks payable to Jim Dulley) and a business-size SASE. Mail to: Jim Dulley, Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, IL 62708. To read previous columns, go to http:// www.dulley.com.

NOVEMBER 1997 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 19