|
Top Loader |
Front Loader |
| Example |
Frigidaire Top Loader
|
GE Frontload Washer
|
| Overall Efficiency |
Poor |
Best |
| Cost |
Lower |
Higher |
| Water Usage |
Most |
One third or less water than a Top Loader |
| Laundry Detergent |
Most: Lots of water needs lots more soap/detergent. Less vigorous agitation means less physical cleaning. |
Least: Less water means less soap needed. The folding action provides more mechanical movement and mixes air into the clothing to allow better soap penetration. |
| Ergonomics |
Easier to place and retieve clothing. Less bending needed. |
Not very ergonomic as one needs to bend or stoop to handle the laundry. Some units have drawers placed beneath that raise up the height of the door in a bid to overcome this problem.
Here is an example: LG Front Load Washer
|
| Mechanical |
More complex: requires a gearox, clutch and crank mechanism to acheive the agitation motion. Newer machines are now moving to a direct drive motor. |
Less complex mechanically, but this is offset by the need for a water-tight seal and bellows where the front loading glass door meets the water holding tub. |
| Cleaning Motion |
Agitiates back and forth using the center post. Clothes suspended in water rotate up and down in a circular motion, travelling down to the base of the
center post, then up alon the outside of the tub to the top again.
|
Uses a folding motion aided by gravity. As the tub turns, the paddles affixed to the side of the tub lift up the clothes and as they rise, gravity folds them over creating the mechanical action
that provides the cleaning. The folding is a far more physical action allowing soap and chemicals to penetrate deeper into the fabric. This motion also has a
greater effect in loosening stubborn dirt.
|
| Thermal Efficiency |
Since more water (2/3 more) is used, it takes more electrical energy to heat the water to temperature. |
Far better. Since there is one third or less water to heat, less heating of the water is needed. |
| Water Efficiency |
Poor: clothing needs to be suspended in water. This requires a larger quantity of water to keep all laundry submerged. |
Superior. Uses one third the water than a top loader. Clothing falls into the water sitting in the bottom of the tub. It does not need to be suspended in water.
The cloting soaks up water and is periodically folded into the standing water through gravity.
|
| Chemical Efficiency |
Poor: More water needs more detergent to penetrate the same clothing. |
Best: Far less water means that less detergent is needed. The more agressive folding action means that more air is introduced helping to create foam or suds.
Less water combined with air means more chemical cleaning action with less detergent. |
| Space Usage |
The washer and dryer usually sit side by side, taking up far more room. |
Front loaders can be placed under cabinets in a kitche, can allow the dryer to be stacked on top of the
washer, and generally take up less room.
|