Horizontal Axis (Front-Loading) Clothes Washers

Summary

Horizontal axis washing machines are putting a new spin on laundry-literally. By tumbling clothes like a dryer rather than agitating clothes like in a conventional tub-and-agitator machine, horizontal axis machines use significantly less water and energy to do the same job as conventional machines. Horizontal axis washers, common in commercial laundries and in Europe, are usually loaded from a door in the front and are often called front-loading washers.

Details

Clothes are placed in a horizontally-oriented stainless steel drum as opposed to a vertically-oriented conventional tub with central agitator. Horizontal axis washing machines are partially filled with water and cleaning action occurs as clothes are tumbled (in a manner similar to a dryer) through the pool of water at the bottom of the tub. They use less energy than conventional washing machines because they use less hot water. They may also squeeze more water out of clothes, thereby reducing drying time.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, horizontal axis washing machines use about 40 percent less water and 50 percent less energy per load, cause less wear and tear on clothes, and can accommodate large items that won't fit in a top-loader. A typical top-loading washer uses about 40 gallons of water per full load. In contrast, a full-size horizontal axis clothes washer uses 20-25 gallons.

Installation

Installation of horizontal axis washing machines is similar to that of top-loading machines.

Benefits/Costs

Horizontal axis clothes washers use less water, energy, and detergent than conventional top-loading machines. The estimated annual utility bill savings for a family of four is about $75 to $100. Unlike top-loading machines, there is no central agitator to tangle clothes. In addition, the design permits a high level of water extraction that may result in lower energy use for drying.

Currently, the price tag for a horizontal axis washer is between $700 and $1500 (the high end price is for a combination washer/dryer).

Limitations

Front loading machines cost more than conventional washers.

Laundry soap formulated for high-efficiency washers have, historically, been difficult to find. However, more products are continually being offered. Regular laundry soap can be used, but it may be difficult to determine how much soap is optimal.

Code/Regulatory

The Federal Trade Commission requires that clothes washers display the yellow and black EnergyGuide label that gives consumers information about the energy use of the product. The current EnergyGuide label does not compare horizontal axis washing machines with conventional washing machines-only with other horizontal axis washing machines.

Availability

Horizontal axis washers are not as readily available as top-loading machines, but most major appliance stores carry at least one horizontal axis model.

Contact(s)

Do you have a specific question about this technology and/or its 'real life' applications? Try the contacts listed below:

EPA EnergySTAR Appliance Program
Mailbox 6202 J
Washington, DC, 20460
888/STAR-YES

Consortium for Energy Efficiency
1 State Street
Suite 1400
Boston, MA, 02109
617/589-3949
http://ceeformt.org

Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
20 N. Wacker Drive Suite 1231
Chicago, IL 60606
312/984-5800
http://www.aham.org/

Maytag
403 W. Fourth Street North
Newton, IA 50208
515/791-8518

Frigidaire
Frigidaire/Euroflair
6000 Perimeter Drive
Dublin, OH 43017
Tel 800/685-6005
http://www.frigidaire.com/

General Electric
General Electric Appliances
Appliance Park
Bldg. 35, Rm. 1007B
Louisville, KY 40225
502/452-4557
http://www.ge.com/

Asko
ASKO USA
1161 Executive Drive West
Richardson, TX 75081
800/367-2444
http://www.askousa.com/

Staber Industries
4411 Marketing Place
Groveport, OH 43125
800/848-6200
http://www.staber.com/

Miele
Miele Appliances, Inc.
22D Worlds Fair Drive
Somerset, NJ 08873

Consumer Reports