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== Types ==
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.
Front-loading machines use less than 50% of the water for the same size. They tumble the clothes through the air into a small pool of water, at speeds over 1000 rpm. The clothes don't clump together, which means a better wash. The tumble action also rinses better, and is gentler on clothes. Front-loading machines are also stackable, and easier for the infirm to use.
== Models ==
Washer/dryer technology keeps evolving so keep an eye on [http://laundry.reviewed.com/features/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://www.splendide.com/ Splendide] and [http://www.specializedappliances.com/ Specialized Appliances] combinations; and separate units like [http://www.boschappliances.com/ Bosch] Nexxt, [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.
Spin-X is a high-speed centrifugal dryer for removing water and detergents from clothes before they are put into a normal hot air, tumble dryer. Tumble dryers turn around 1200-2800 rpm while Spin-X turns at more than 4000.
A clothes washer-dryer will consume around 3 kWh (see also [[ElectricalCapacityAC]]).
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