High Efficiency Front Load VS Regular Top Load Washer

Keith is here to show you the difference between the new technology of the high efficiency front load washers and the older technology top load washers.

New HE Front Load Washers

With the new front load washers, one of the first things that you will notice is that there is a HE symbol where the soap dispenser. The HE symbol stands for high-efficiency. This tells you that the machine does have the new technology and that you need a certain type of soap with the HE logo. You will use less soap and use soap that is less dense. 

Front load washers use less water, your clothes will come out more dry after a cycle, and will ultimately save you money. Each cycle with a top load washer will use between 3-5 gallons of water. There are usually 2-3 cycles per load making the total amount of water used to about 10-15 gallons. People tend to use the extra rinse cycle as a way to really wash out all the soap in the load. This is good for people who tend to use too much soap. 

One question that we hear a lot is, will this amount of soap really clean my clothes? The answer is YES! Using less water means that it requires less soap and that you should stick to the manufacturer's maximum amount of soap.

 One other great benefit of using the high-efficiency washer is that it uses less electricity. The drum does spin faster, but with the newer technology, the appliance unit will use less electricity.

Old Top Load Washers

These washers have been around for 40- 50 years with really no new technology. These are the same washers that you grandma has used for years.

The big tub can hold from 10 to 30 gallons of water in each cycle filling it to the top. Each load takes about 2-3 cycles similar to the new technology. But when adding up all of those cycles, you are using about 60-90 gallons of water per load. That is a huge difference! With more water requires more soap to evenly distribute it out. This is why you use more soap.

Because of how much water you are using, requires more soap, more electricity, and costs you more money with this option in the long run. The convenient thing about the old top load washers is that the cost to buy them is going to be more affordable.

The Comparison

After comparing the new top load washers with the old front load washers, you can see a big difference between the two.. These differences are more clear when thinking about how much laundry you do, especially with a family. If you are looking at having to use less soap, less water, less electricity and want to save money in the long run, it is worth the upgrade to the new high-efficiency front load washes. 

What are your thoughts? Leave them in the comments section or contact our store.

Why Buy a Top-load HE Washing Machine

Let’s start with the question what does HE mean? HE stands for high-efficiency in washers. In order for a washing machine to be considered high-efficient, it must follow meet certain criteria and guidelines in regards to how much water, electricity, and detergent it uses. Look for the HE symbol on the machine indicating that it uses less energy, water, and detergent.

HE washers can be found on front-load and top-load washers. Both HE washer styles are efficient with the clothes cleaning performance. Here is a look at why you should consider a top-load HE washing machine rather than a traditional top-load or front-load washing machines.

Better Cleaning, Less Water

Most HE top-loaders are better at cleaning, gentler on fabrics, quieter, and use less water than traditional agitator washing machines.

Lower Cost

Front-loaders, which is a newer technology and more popular, are usually your most expensive option. HE top loading machines give you the benefit of significant water savings as opposed to a standard efficiency top loader, at a fraction of the cost of front load HE units.

Larger Capacity

HE top-loaders do not have agitators which increases the capacity of the unit. You can do less loads of laundry by having more clothes in one load. An agitator top-load washer varies in sizes from 3.2 Cu. Ft. to 4.5 Cu. Ft capacity. A HE top-load washer ranges in sizes from 4.5 Cu. Ft. to about 6.2 Cu. Ft. capacity. Their extended wash cycles allow the machine to provide clean clothing with minimal water use.

No Vibration Problem

Top load HE units spin faster than standard efficiency top loaders leaving your clothes dryer with less time. Their final spin speed is significantly slower than a front-load unit, which decreases the possibility of vibration.

No Mold Issue

Unlike a front-load unit, the door does not have an air tight seal. By leaving the top open, and using an approved washer cleaner once a month, you can virtually eliminate the possibility of mold or mildew better than a front-load washer

ENERGY STAR Qualified

Because HE washers and dryers meet strict energy and water guidelines the machines are considered to be ENERGY STAR Certified. This can save you more money and energy throughout the life of your appliance.

HE washers and dryers are more common now, which makes them a little more affordable compared to when they first came out. They are still more expensive up-front than traditional agitator washers. With the many benefits of HE washers, it will save you energy, water, and time in the long run making it worth the upgrade.