Imagine that not too long ago, it was a rarity to have your own washing machine. Today a home clothes washer is a commodity that few of us could live without. A washing machine is a major purchase – one that you hope will last through many long years of wear and tear. If you are looking to purchase a new machine there are a number of different factors that you should be aware of in order to make the best, most educated decision. We’ve done the research for you to take you step by step through the process of purchasing the washing machine that’s right for you and your family.
One of the first and most important decisions you’ll need to make when starting your process is whether to buy a top-loading or front-loading wash machine. The top loading washer is the traditional home model that most of us are familiar with, whereas a front loader washer is more commonly used in a Laundromat. The main difference between these two units isn’t hard to guess – the names say it all. A top loader washing machine opens from the top with an agitator in the middle to churn and agitate the clothes. Front load washing machines, on the other hand, open from the front and use the nature force of gravity to distribute the water without the need of an agitator. In the past, it was very rare for American house owners to own front loaders, although they were the washing machine of choice by private individuals in Europe for decades. Today however, front loaders have suddenly become more and more popular in North America as well, putting them on the map in America for the first time for anyone in the market for a new machine. We’ve made it our business to speak to a number of well-respected retailers in the New York/New England region and asked them to share their decades of experience with us to try to understand the new rise in popularity of the front loading model so that you can make the smartest decision possible when purchasing your washing machine.
Advantages of a Front Loader Washer:
Whirlpool Duet 9470 Cranberry Front Load Washer
Economically and Ecologically Efficient
Without exception, our sources all recommend purchasing a front loader washer over a top loader for a number of different reasons. The first and foremost reason is based on a simple law of economics – people like to save money! Although in the past, front loaders were more expensive, today the prices are basically identical, ranging from $400-$600 for middle range machines. It is possible to find a bottom of the line top loading washer for less, but the short term savings won’t come close to the money that will be saved over the life of the machine, as we will explain.
While a top loader washing machine requires large amounts of water – as much as 44 gallons per average load – a front loader uses as little as 14 gallons per load. That’s a savings of up to 30 gallons per load! The reason for this discrepancy is due to the fact that the tub of a front loader is suspended vertically and therefore requires much more water to cover all of the clothes. A front loader on the other hand, is suspended horizontally and only utilizes a small pool of water gathered at the bottom of the washing machine, relying on gravity to drop the clothes into the water. While a top loading washer needs to empty soapy water and refill for a rinse cycle, a front loader simply sprays a small amount of clean water on the load as the drum continues to turn. Considering that the average family does almost 400 loads per year in their clothes washer, the water you save annually is enough to fill three swimming pools!
Furthermore, most front loading machines spin mechanism can reach up to 1,200 rpm as opposed to the standard top loader’s average 650 rpm. The faster spin cycle extracts more water from clothes, reducing dryer time and therefore saving on energy costs. According to Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, one can save up to $135 per year on bills with an energy efficient machine.
Due to these facts, front loaders are substantially more environmentally friendly, which is an important factor in today’s world of global warming. Nearly all front loading models bear an “Energy Star” label distinguishing it as an economically and ecologically efficient appliance, as opposed to only a few redesigned top loading models. Additionally, products with Energy Star certification often come with incentives as sales tax exemptions, store credits, or power company rebates (go to Energystar.gov, for a list of special offers on Energy Star qualified products in your area).Today there are in fact a few advanced redesigned energy saving top loader washing machines on the market which cut down on water use, but not nearly as much as a front loader.
Gentler on Clothes
There are a number of other important factors at stake that give front loaders an advantage over top loaders. In general, a front loader washer has more room, compared to a top loader of the same size, since they do not have to make room for a bulky agitator in the middle of the tub. Aggressive agitators also add additional wear and tear on garments, whereas front loaders are much gentler, helping to preserve the life of clothes. Lint build up in the dryer filter is evidence of damage to clothing from an abrasive washing machine. Also, since front loaders spin faster, they get rid of more detergent residues, keeping colors from fading.
Most front load washing machines also require the use of special low-sudsing HE (high efficiency) detergents which are more concentrated so that you need less soap and less water. Today, they are available in your local stores and are made by all the major detergent companies. Many front loaders also include built in water heaters that can bring the temperature up as high as 170°-200°, sanitizing clothes without the need of bleach or other chemicals that are harmful to people and the environment. Finally, front loaders can be loaded more easily by simply throwing everything in. This is not the case with a top loading washer due to the presence of the bulky agitator. In more advanced energy-saving top loaders, clothes items should also be placed inside one by one in order to prevent tangling.
Built for Efficiency
A few other differences in engineering make the front loader washer a more efficient clothes washer. When it comes to saving floor space, front loading washers also have a valuable advantage that they can be stacked with a companion dryer, an impossible feat for your standard top loader. Front loaders are engineered to run using a belt driven system wherein a pulley belt turns the tub, taking off most of the stress from the motor. Many top loader washers, on the other hand, operate on either what’s called a direct driver system in which the tub is spun by a mechanical arm that is connected to the motor or through a transmission system. In the belt driven system, the belt is the most likely thing that will break over time; a relatively inexpensive and easy to replace item. In the other two systems, however, the motor or transmission themselves can fail, leading to expensive repairs down the line.
For these reasons, retailers reported that 7 out of 10 buyers tend to choose front loaders over top loaders when purchasing a new washing machine. That being said, there are still some advantages to a traditional top loader.
Advantages of a Top Loading Washer:
Whirlpool WTW6500WW Top Load Washer
Familiarity and Comfort
The leading reason to choose a top loader washer over a front loading machine is simply that it’s what most people are used to. That makes them the best choice for anyone who doesn’t like change. Due to the vertical positioning of the tub, top loaders can be comfortably loaded without bending down, so it is ideal for older couples or people with back problems. Nonetheless, many front loader models today are available on a 15 inch pedestal so that the tub is easily reachable without bending down (however it is important to note that a dryer cannot be stacked on top of a front loader washer that rests on a pedestal).
Another helpful feature of a top loader is the ability to add additional items once the load has started. Since the top loader opens from the top, the lid can be flipped up in the middle of a load to insert a forgotten item of clothing. Only the most expensive front loaders come with this feature. For the more absent minded type, this might be an important factor to consider, although according to one of our retailers, only 1 in 50 retailers find this to be a deciding factor. “If you make the mistake of forgetting to put an item in the load once with a front loader, you won’t make it again,” he said.
More Flexible Placement
Although top loader washers cannot be stacked for people who want to conserve ground space, they are usually about 5-6 inches more shallow from front to back allowing them to fit into narrow folding closets. Furthermore, it is recommended to keep clothes machine doors open when not in use to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Since a front loader door juts out in front when open, this will also prevent closet doors from closing.
Additionally, a top loading washer allows for more flexibility in that it can be placed on any floor of the house. A front loader, on the other hand, is best kept in a basement. Since the drum is suspended to the bottom of the unit, energy is pushed into the floor when the wash machine spins, causing considerable shaking to the house if stored on an upper floor. If you are planning on storing your clothes washer on an upper floor it is therefore recommended to purchase a top loader which spins from side to side or an expensive upgraded front loader with up to 6 built in shocks. The total wash and spin cycle in a top loader is also considerably faster, but many people prefer the less aggressive approach of the front loader even though it takes more time. In the words of one retailer, “most people are so happy with their front loader washer, they don’t even notice the extra time.”
Whirlpool Duet 9750 Cranberry Front Load Pair in Stacked Configuration.
In Summary:
The front-loading machine is a clear winner in terms of conservation – saving water, energy, clothes life and of course, money over the life of the machine. If a person prefers a top loader because of comfort, familiarity, or placement, it is definitely recommended to find a model with Energy Star certification. Although it will not save as much water as a front loader, it will be substantially more efficient than a regular top loader model. Regardless of your decision, we hope you enjoy full satisfaction from your washing machine, and may it provide you and your family with many years of clean clothes!
Popularity: 66%
