Changes

Washers and dryers are top-loading or front-loading. Energy considerations are switching the market to the European front-loading standard, which is anyway easier on your clothes. Reducing water consumption reduces the amount of electricity required to heat water during the hot-water cycle, and reduces the amount of detergent needed. Eliminating hull openings is important but experience has shown that vented dryers perform much better and, of course, reduce water consumption. For performance, look for around 10-20 -pound (lb ) loads and water consumption of around 0.7 to 0.9 gals gallons (gal) per pound of load.

Top-loading machines use an agitator to swish the clothes back and forth in a big bucket of water, at a fairly slow speed. The clothes tend to tangle and clump together, impeding the washing action. The agitation is tough on clothes, and wears out fabric. After the wash cycle, the clothes are soaked in rinse water.

Energy efficient models include Washer/dryer technology keeps evolving so keep an eye on [http://wwwlaundry.splendidereviewed.com/ Splendidefeatures/2015-best-of-year-washer-dryer-awards best of the year awards], but note that sites such as this are skewed to models on the USA market. Energy efficient models include [http://equatorwww.buyolsplendide.com/ EquatorSplendide] and [http://www.specializedappliances.com/ Specialized Appliances] combinations; and separate units like [http://www.askousa.com/ Asko], [http://www.boschappliances.com/ Bosch] Nexxt, Equator, [http://staber.com/ Staber], [http://spin-x.com/ Spin-X], and [http://fisherpaykel.com/ Fisher & Paykel]. For performance, look for around 10-20 lb loads and water consumption of around 0.7 to 0.9 gals per pound of load.