Thread Number: 52529
HE, Eco, Low water and Energy, lets hear your positive experiences! |
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Post# 748030   4/6/2014 at 07:08 (3,673 days old) by aquarius1984 (Planet earth)   |   | |
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Hi Guys,
Lets hear about all of you whom have low water/energy HE, ECO machines who get perfect results time upon time without excessive waste of water. Did you buy the machine thru choice? Has it been reliable? What changes or provisions do you make to get great results? Would you have one again? Anything else you may care to add that relates to HE machines? Lets get a good database of all the positive stuff you guys have been experiencing and maybe see if we can patch some stats/numbers as to whats REALLY going on out there. Rob |
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Post# 748042 , Reply# 1   4/6/2014 at 08:52 (3,673 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Rob, I love my Whirlpool Duet WFW97HEX purchased 11/27/2012. I know for a fact it removes stains far easier than a conventional top loader. The European approach of gradually heating the water to very hot is far superior in results. Truth be told, a load of whites or heavily stained clothing doesn't take much longer than when I had the Lady Shredmore. I'd have to soak a load in tepid to warm water for an hour or more. Then wash in hot water and add an extra rinse. All with 100+ gallons of water just for one load. My kitchen towels, dish cloths, and napkins are stain free 100% of the time. With my front loader I don't have to presoak. Just set for longest wash, extra hot water, and stain treat. I always use the extra rinse. Yes, I usually use Allergen cycle because that uses the most water per fill. But probably no more than 40 gallons at the absolute most. Tide He with Bleach is amazing. My underwear and kitchen towels are lasting a lot longer and no little shred holes starting to show up either. And my water rates year round are staying lower (although the cost per 100 gallons keeps going up over the years). And I can keep my electric water heater set to 120 degrees rather than 140 to 155 degrees--which has also helped it last much longer as well as far less expensive to run. And I noticed significantly improved cleaning and stain removal with the previous Frigidaire front loader over the Lady Shredmore too. And fabrics were lasting far longer without damage.
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Post# 748062 , Reply# 2   4/6/2014 at 10:50 (3,672 days old) by frontloaderfan (Merrimac valley, MA)   |   | |
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I bought my Frigidaire Affinity front loader (FAFW3801LW)and matching dryer in Nov. 2012 and have had constantly good performance with some minor complaints. I have had to unplug the ATC and add some more air volume to the WLS so that the machine will actually use a decent amount of HOT water as opposed to a few thimbles full of lukewarm water. Since this has been done, the machine does an excellent job of washing my baker's whites with no yellowing as with the Maytag top loader I had years ago. The fabrics show no signs of premature wear as with a top loader and everything gets spotlessly clean with less than half the water usage of a conventional top loader. I am still using Persil Gold powder detergent for colors and Persil Universal for whites with sparkling results each time.
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Post# 748082 , Reply# 3   4/6/2014 at 12:15 (3,672 days old) by paulc (Edinburgh, Scotland)   |   | |
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Bought in September 2008. It was not the washer I had intended buying but whilst my partner and I were looking at what was available in John Lewis he said "why don't we just get a Miele as it will last". Our previous washer had only lasted two years.
We got a great deal, paid £639 and got a 5yr parts and labour guarantee. Almost 6 years on I still enjoy using the machine as much as the day I got it. Seamus told me how to access the service menu so I have upgraded the spin to 1600rpm ( was 1300 ) and changed the country setting from UK to Australia. This reduced the times on the cottons cycle in particular with a 40deg wash, three rinses and final spin completed in 54 minutes. Even with the shorter wash times I still get great results but still have the option to do a longer wash if required. I did turn on the max water level setting but felt the huge amount of water it used on the rinse was a bit wasteful as the machine rinsed brilliantly with the "normal" level set. Usually, for white loads I use cottons 60deg with prewash, cycle complete in 93mins. I cut the tip of my finger quite badly last week ( a stray sharp serrated knife in the bottom of the washing up bowl ) and had a lot of blood on a few white tea towels which had dried in by the time I washed the whites. Everything came out spotless, in fact, I can't remember the last time I had to rewash anything. I suppose the only downside I can see regarding this machine and being a one washer household it's going to be a long time before I get to play with another washer in my house. Currently the Miele has clocked around 4,250 hours of operation time. |
Post# 748248 , Reply# 4   4/6/2014 at 21:49 (3,672 days old) by powerfin64 (Yakima, Washington)   |   | |
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LG WM2050CW I got as a trade of april 2010, from returning my first front loading washer, (Amana). I have been extremely happy with my LG, and has been very reliable. I use good detergents( Tide HE, Wisk HE) and always pre-treat. I would own another front loading washer again, except I would make sure the next one has a heater in it, as my LG model does not. The model I have, has been discontinued, however the current model now equal to mine now is: WM3050CW with a few changes in options. I believe the next model up with a heater is WM3250HW.
I recommend LG to people I know, confident from my experiance. Excellent washer + great detergents = awesome results with LG. |
Post# 748265 , Reply# 5   4/6/2014 at 23:52 (3,672 days old) by zipdang (Portland, OR)   |   | |
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Did you buy the machine thru choice?
We purchased our KitchenAid front loader, a Whirlpool Duet clone, in 2006. It replaced a 2 year-old KitchenAid top loader. Prior to the top loader I'd had two different front loaders. Two years with the top loader was enough punishment and I happily went back to a FL. The TL completed a cycle quickly, but that was its only advantage. The FL machine is superior in every other way. Has it been reliable? It has been in regular use (5-7 loads per week) in a 2 adult/2 cat home for almost 8 years. It has not malfunctioned or failed ever and has never required any type of repair service. What changes or provisions do you make to get great results? Common sense. Fabrics are sorted by type, with zippers closed, buttons fastened, and pockets emptied. I pretreat any nasty stains (ours are usually food-based), and wash in the warmest water safe for the fabric/load using the manufacturer's suggested amount of detergent. Would you have one again? Absolutely. The one change I will make, however, is to go from a jumbo-sized North American machine back to a smaller European machine. The Euro machine we had several years ago suited our needs and washing habits quite well, and knowing what I know now the huge machines made nowdays are much larger than our household has need for. Anything else you may care to add that relates to HE machines? Choose a model with an on-board heater. Cycles/programs that begin with cold or warm water and heat it up to hot are very effective at removing stains. |
Post# 748323 , Reply# 6   4/7/2014 at 04:28 (3,672 days old) by Haxisfan (Europe - UK / Italy)   |   | |
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considering that low water and energy consuption appliances has been affecting almost everyone of us for quite a while now!
In my case, it all started back in 2004 when I purchased a Hoover-Candy Nextra through my own choice. There was no sales pitch associated with this machine, but having been amazed by a Dishwasher of the same brand bought the year before, I decided to give Hoover-Candy the change to amaze me once again... and it did! Before getting this washer, I had an older FL, a basic Zanussi, an although it did the job (barely), it was being run by my lodger everyday for very small loads (less than a quarter of its capacity) and even if it had a half load button, it'd still run away with my water bill: so that's how I chose a modern energy saving appliance and the wash results improved dramatically with nearly half the water and electricity consumption. Your 2nd question is about reliability... ok... yes... contrary to popular belief new vs old, my fairly modern FL has done so many washloads during the course of its 10 years of service (the first 4 years was being used my by lodger too) and it's yet to know the meaning of the word 'repairman'. I consider it to be super reliable... and it didn't break the bank to purchase it in the first place! I replaced the inner detergent drawer just recently as the retaining hook had snapped and when I pulled it open, it'd come all the way out if I didn't stop, this cost me £18.00/$30.00. What changes or provisions do you make to get great results? This is the best bit... I didn't have to make provisions as I'd normally do with the older appliance! I could even wash a single garment in the washer and it would adjust all the wash parameters automatically to cater for any laundry situation. As suggested above by 'zipdang', I'd too separate colours and fabric type... to a lesser extend though, as I found that even a lower temperature wash would deliver satisfactory results, and this allowed me to occasionally put different stuff together. Would you have one again? Yes I would and I did. Although this washer is still being used about 3-4 times a week, I bought another machine from the same firm, which shares the work with the Nextra on an equal base. To conclude, I respect older machines and I even like them, however I strongly believe in evolution and I have seen the facts that support my belief. |
Post# 748461 , Reply# 7   4/7/2014 at 13:40 (3,671 days old) by joe_in_philly (Philadelphia, PA, USA)   |   | |
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Did you buy the machine thru choice?
From a practical standpoint, I believe I have already recovered the cost of both the HE washer and matching dryer in savings of water, electricity, gas, additives, and longer lasting and better looking clothing and towels. There is also the entertainment value, and the satisfaction of having a washing machine that continues to produce excellent results. This post was last edited 04/07/2014 at 15:14 |
Post# 748688 , Reply# 10   4/8/2014 at 13:32 (3,670 days old) by lavamat_jon (UK)   |   | |
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Henene, the Miele 5kg drum volume is 49 l, the 6kg are 54. |
Post# 748719 , Reply# 13   4/8/2014 at 17:01 (3,670 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))   |   | |
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Post# 748734 , Reply# 14   4/8/2014 at 18:48 (3,670 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Two successes. Limited-time use after doing a refurb on it for a friend -- Whirlpool Duet GHW9400. Loved the Sanitary cycle and impressed with the overall functioning of the machine. It did sometimes have trouble balancing the final spin to its satisfaction on max-size loads of towels/cottons. Long-term success (since late 2008) -- Whirlpool Calypso GVW9959. Only way to make it better IMO is add on-board water heating. |
Post# 748747 , Reply# 15   4/8/2014 at 20:30 (3,670 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Though wary at first find the machine gives excellent washing and rinsing results using much less water than my older Miele. Even when doing a full 5kg (100%) results are staggering.
That being said one has to watch product dosage carefully and stick to things designed for European washers that have long cycles and lower water usage. Key to the results is that while the Miele uses three high water rinses with few spins (one pulse then a full spin before the final rinse), the AEG spins right after the wash (or after second rinse if "sensitive" is chosen), and between at least two of the rinses it spins the heck out of loads regardless. IIRC on "cottons" those spins are at or near 1400 rpms. This is a far better method of rinsing than the merely dilution method of the Miele. Also the AEG is totally computer controlled, thus can vary drum movements, pump activity and so forth to suit the load. If the Miele cannot spin all the water out of a load between the fourth and final rinse before the timer moves, tant pis. However the AEG will slow and or stop the drum and keep running the pump to get out excess water. Once it has detected things are good to go, it ramps up again. |
Post# 748786 , Reply# 16   4/8/2014 at 23:06 (3,670 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)   |   | |
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It was bought by choice. There were a couple of problems during the first year but it has been very reliable years 2 through current. I sometimes will hear a slight squeaking when drum rotates, but 95 percent of the time I don't hear it. It still has the same hoses which should probably have been changed 4 years ago. After reading the above poster mention the belt, that's probably what it is. Used HE powder from day one and distilled white vinegar to rinse with fab softener. I would definitely have one again.
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Post# 748788 , Reply# 17   4/8/2014 at 23:30 (3,670 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)   |   | |
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Growing.up,we first had a rubber tub Bendix. After five rubber tub replacements,Mado, my Mom's Mom who hated to be called grandmom, grammy or nanna had it taken back by Luskins,a local tv appliance store and got a 1958 Easy Rivera two speed top loader. We also had a frog eye Kenmore gas dryer. After three pump failures in five years, Mado ,having a sister in law who constantly bragged about her own Duomatic,Mado wanted one but my dad refused because he worked at Bendix Freeze making plane parts and brakes. He said he didn't see why a washer could dry too . We went to Sears to look at Oenmore and I saw a machine with a window on display. I saw it said"washer dryer combination" under "Lady Kenmore. I showed Mado and she bought it. The gas version. Ever since,I,myself,after serviving thirty+ years of Frigidsireitus,have preferred the front loaders old and new. They're more fun to watch,less expensive too operate,wash larger loads, get bulky things like shoes,stuffed toys,pillows,dog beds,pup tents,sleeping bags,down comferters and get everytying cleaner,brighter and fresher smelling then any top loaders I've ever used.
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Post# 749502 , Reply# 20   4/12/2014 at 09:30 (3,666 days old) by golittlesport (California)   |   | |
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