High Efficiency Laundry Innovations –or- Where is the Agitator?

It seems that new innovations in modern appliances are being announced every time we turn around these days.  See below for just a few of the more recent improvements.

The newer High Efficiency top loading washers save approximately 50% on water usage over the older style non h.e. version while the h.e. Front Load machines may save up to 75% .  Most of the newer washers also have higher spin speeds this means that if you have a load of towels or other items where a high spin speed is acceptable your dryer will have less work to do once again saving you gas or electric.

Another saver of both money and time are some of the precision systems available to handle dispensing of the laundry detergent.  Some systems use a reservoir that will hold enough detergent to do 20 or 30 loads while using just the right amount of detergent to do the job.  The savings in detergent usage can be substantial over the lifetime of the washer.  Convenience is another benefit and some models feature pedestal reservoirs that may only need to be filled with detergent and fabric softener every 6 months or so.

How about the availability of Steam cycles in your washing machine?  Real world time savers allowing you to refresh clothing that would have had to be washed in the past.  Goodbye wrinkles and odors!  Sanitizing, removal of certain stains, even loosening those grass stains on your favorite white sneakers are just a few of the great uses of steam in the newer washing machines.

Self diagnostic systems can transmit information from your washer at home to the service center technician wherever that service center is located this may allow some issues to be resolved immediately by the owner with a simple adjustment.  If the repairs require an actual visit the technician will arrive armed with the parts and information needed to do the job and efficiently get the system up and running.

With capacities as large as 5.1 cubic feet you may be doing loads nearly twice as large as you were able to do in the past and some models feature wash cycles that are up to 35% faster that others.  With features like these the savings in time can be huge!

Don’t forget some of the familiar but important features that have been around for many years but are not available on all washers such as does the washer have a heater for the water allowing selection of Extra Hot water.  Can you select different temperature combinations like warm wash and warm rinse?  Can you add extra rinses?  Is there a soak cycle?  What are the soak capabilities?

There is a lot to think about when you invest in a new laundry pair.  This visit www.applianceinfo.net for more information and help you find the facts and help you need to make an informed decision.

Front Load Washers - Do They Smell Bad?

They can but they don’t have to.

A realistic concern for consumers and a problem that has plagued front load washers for years is how to prevent the formation of mold and mildew without the need to dry the rubber seal and drum after each use and leave the door open.

One very simple yet effective improvement is the use of a spring loaded magnet that holds the door in slightly open position when it is not in use to allow for air.  Some brands also developed an anti microbial treatment that becomes a permanent part of the rubber seal.

The addition of steam cycles in many front load washers not only removes stains, sanitizes, removes wrinkles and refreshes clothing but can also clean the drum and seal helping to remove odors.

Several brands have options that will continue to tumble intermittently at the end of the cycle helping to keep the load from souring in the event you return late to empty the load.  Expanding on this great idea, at least two top rated brands have added a fan so that in addition to the tumble at cycles end a fan will blow cool air to not only keep the laundry fresh but will even dry a smaller load.  Possibly even more importantly you can turn on the fan when your work is done and it will dry the drum and seal.  A dry environment is the best way to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

While all of the high efficiency (h.e.) washers require you to regularly run a cycle especially to clean the drum (about one cleaning every 40 loads) most require the use of bleach or special chemicals.  One popular brand however provides a drum cleaning cycle that does not require chemicals.  Instead they clean the drum with a hot water high speed cycle.  This potentially is a significant savings over the life of the washer when compared to those that require chemicals every month for drum cleaning.

Whatever brand you choose the regular cleaning of the drum is critically important to keep the washer smelling fresh and clean

So do front load washers smell?

The bottom line is very simple.  If you are aware that you cannot close the door and leave a wet washer until the next time you wash you probably won’t have a problem.  If your washer manufacturer has a built in feature to prevent odors such as a fan or magnet to hold the door open then use it and you won’t have a problem.

If you don’t have built in features to combat odors then simply wipe the seal dry when you finish your laundry and leave the door open for the same “no problem” result.

If you would like to add your info or opinions, ask questions, or get help selecting or pricing your appliances please visit www.applianceinfo.net

GE’s new high capacity, high efficiency top loading washers and matching dryers

By Russ Crouch

Friday, December 21st, 2012

GE recently announced their new high efficiency top loading washers and matching dryers.

When it comes to available capacities and functions the number of differences between top load and front load he washing machines has just been reduced.

With the introduction of this new lineup of top load washers and dryers GE now offers the largest capacity in the industry.  The washer is a whopping 5.0 cubic foot paired with a 7.8 cubic foot dryer this washer capacity is second only to LG’s 5.1 cubic foot front load washer.

Before now if you wanted steam cycles in your washer then your choices were limited to front loaders only.  When the user selects GE’s “steam assist” function steam will penetrate and help loosen soils so your he detergent can wash them away.  This feature is currently available on 2 models.

On the matching dryer GE provides a steam select cycle allowing the user to select how many garments they would like to refresh or de wrinkle.  Based on the number selected the dryer will adjust to provide the correct amount of Steam and tumble time.

Another great convenience feature previously available only in front load washers is smart dispense.  Here 2 reservoirs hold enough detergent and fabric softener to last approximately 2 months for the average family.  The washer will dispense the correct amount of each based on the selected cycle, load size, and soil level.  This is not only a great convenience but can also result in a big savings on detergent and fabric softener cost over time.

How to remove a particular stain can be a problem for many of us.  Three of the new washers now feature the “stain removal guide” where four of the most common and difficult stains to remove (tomato, oil, grass, and dirt) are right on the controls.  The user simply selects the cycle and stain and the washer will adjust the settings as needed such as adding a pre wash, longer soak, adjust the temperature, etc. No more guess work.

A unique difference in the new “my setting” and the custom save cycle settings previously available is that now you can program your own personalized settings for each and every cycle around the knob.  For example if you like an extra rinse on every load you can program it so you don’t have to reset the washer every time.

The 7th key feature innovation address a problem that I hear about almost everyday from many of my customers. Because of the larger capacities the washer drums have become deeper and harder for many people to reach down to the bottom of the tub.  GE has developed a new economic design that dips a bit in the front of the machine making it easier to reach the bottom of the tub.

Finally many people may be pleased to learn that these GE washers and dryers are assembled by American workers inLouisvilleKentucky where GE employs approximately 4000 workers.

If you would like to add your info or opinions, ask questions, or get help selecting or pricing your appliances please visit www.applianceinfo.net

Selecting Your Next Refrigerator

By Russ Crouch 

Saturday, January 5th, 2013

Many people consider the refrigerator to be the main focal point appliance in the kitchen and will select all the other appliances purchased to create a consistent look with that of the refrigerator.  Usually this means purchasing the same brand for all the appliances (usually but not always).  So one of the first questions is what brand has the look you want?

You may be thinking what if I like different features offered by multiple brands on different appliances?  Is it OK to mix different brands in my kitchen?  I say YES.  First if the appearance and function pleases you as the owner then it is not likely or important that others will even notice or care.  Also it may be easier than you may think to get a consistent matching look even though you are mixing brands.

If your refrigerator is not located next to the other appliances you may not have an issue.  Also several of the major brands have similar handles and don’t forget that you can choose a dishwasher and even some microwaves without an external handle.  Whatever brand you choose you must decide on color and there are lots of choices (see www.applianceinfo.net ).

Next think about where the refrigerator will be located.  What are the dimensions of the spot for your refrigerator? You will need to know the available width and depth and it is very important to measure from the floor to the bottom of your cabinets.  How much room do you have to open the door or drawer if it is a bottom freezer?  If it will be a single door on what side will it need to hinge?  Remember a right handed door opens from left to right.

Decide on the basic configuration:

-          Single door top freezer.

-          Single door bottom freezer.

-          Side by side.

-          French door. (Double door refrigerator with bottom freezer).

Think about the many features available some are:

-          4 door design w/2 freezer drawers.

-          4 door design with an extra drawer for deli or crisper.

-          Slide out spill proof shelves.

-          Air tight crispers (veggies dry out 4 times slower).

-          Filtered ice and water.

-          With or without external ice and water dispenser.

-          Internal only water and ice (some like the clean external look).

-          Tilting freezer drawer.

-          Ice maker in the door or the refrigerator compartment.

-          Temperature and door alarms.

-          Metered fill (measures amount of dispensed water).

-          LED internal lighting.

-          Flexibility/adjust ability in shelf location.

-          Collapsible shelves.

-          Water filters location.

If budget is a major consideration my suggestion is to decide on your favorite then ask your appliance consultant to help you find at least two compatible models.  If you like them all then you will have a much better chance that one will have everything you want and still be within your budget.

If you are shopping for all new kitchen appliances then I would suggest that you be open minded regarding the price of the refrigerator and consider spending a little less on the microwave and dishwasher so you can get the features you want and need on the refrigerator and/or stove.

For more appliance information visit www.applianceinfo.net