|
Top Loader Front Loader Combination Compare Efficiency Site Map |
Front Loader Washing Machinesare by far the most efficient washing machine one can purchase today.Popular in Europe because of their efficiency and smaller size, they are fast becoming the first choice of the American consumer. The principle reason the front loader is more efficient is due to it needing only one third of the water that a top loading machine needs. Since the drum is on its side, the mechanical action that does the work of loosening dirt is aided by gravity. As the drum turns, the paddles lift up the laundry. As it rises, gravity forces it to fold over and fall back into the water at the bottom of the tub. This folding action is a far superior cleaning movement compared to the mild agitation movement of top loaders. Believe it or not, this more agressive cleaning is considered less harsh on laundry! Because a front loader requires less water, less energy is used to heat this water. Additionally less laundry detergent is needed because there is less water in the tub. The detergent used for front loader washing machines can either be reduced due to the superior suds effect on the folding action or can be specially formulated laundry detergent that provides different cleaning properties at different temperatures. The mechanism that a front loader uses to insert laundry detergent into the top is more complex than that of a top loader. Another complexity of a front loader is that it requires a gasket to keep the water in and to allow the user to look through the door to see the laundry. This is another reason why front loaders are relatively new. The gasket technology is a recent phenomena. In order to keep the water in with a horizontal tub a special bellows style gasket is required. This gasket may also require periodic cleaning because within its folds it can trap lint and other undesired materials. Without this gasket laundry can fall between the spinning basket and the tub that holds the water. Ergonomically front loading washing machines are at a disadvantage to top loading washing machines. The main reason is that you have to bend or stoop to put laundry into a front loading washing machine. Manufacturers have addressed this by raising up the front loaders with a drawer underneath the washer. One big advantage of the front loading washing machine though, is that it can be placed under the countertop or a dryer can be placed on top of the washer. So it can be a space saver. The future for front loaders looks very good. One recent advance at a university has allowed a front loading washing machine to wash laundry with as little as a cup of water. Current machines also have so little water that one can also open the door while doing laundry without water spilling out. It sits below the level of the door. Washing cycles with a front loader can be longer than that of a top loader and the front loader will still be more efficient and have washed laundry more thoroughly than a front loading machine. Believe it or not, the mechanical mechanism that turns the drum is simpler for a front loader than a top loading washing machine. It is our recommendation that you purchase a front loader to take advantage of the long term efficiency that it can offer you. Top loader and front loader washing machine comparison |