Our new washer
Our new washer and dryer arrived today. We had an old top loader and we
were not happy with it. The dryer would take up to three cycles to get
our clothes dry, wasting a lot of electricity. We have been wanting to
replace them for a while, but finances are tight, so could not afford
it. We used our tax return to get it. As there are only 3 of us that
wear clothes, one being small, at the moment, we do not need one of the
super big machines. The one we got is very large. I don't want to talk
about it, specifically, so if you want more information, check out the
picture on the right. You can also click it to visit shop.com and get
more information (or buy it, I get a commission if you do).
Why High Efficiency?
Some people have asked me why I need a front loader. The top loaders
are so much cheaper. That is true, and that is why we got the top
loader the last time. That and our in-laws purchased it for us. The
initial purchase of a front loader is more expensive, but with all the
credits you get for having a high efficiency washer, and all the money
you save on utilities, it quickly pays for itself. Then you have to
account for the impact to the environment. HE washers are more
efficient and therefore better for the environment.
Frugality and Environmentalism combine
I care about frugality. Every middle and lower income family should.
Living frugally means that we can splurge once in a while and have a
nice weekend at the beach, like we did last weekend. It also means that
we are able for me to not work for 2 years while I go to school and get
my masters. Frugality is important to me, and while this washer was
more expensive on the outset, it will save us money in the long run.
Less Water
HE washers use less water. We got a sample packet
of tide with the washer. It came with a little information about HE
washers, and says that HE washers use 1/5th to 2/3rds the water that a
regular washer uses. So, you can cut the amount of water used by 1/3rd
to 4/5ths! This helps the enviroment and saves you money on your water
bill.
Less Electricity
Most of the cost of electricity for your
washer comes from heating the water, up to 90%. There is less water to
heat with an HE washer, so less electricity. The spin cycle on HE
washers spins out more water than on a standard. This means they are
dryer when they get into the dryer, so take less time to dry, again
saving on electricity. You can also put more into an HE washer, so you
have fewer loads, which means less water and electricity!
Gentler on clothes
Your clothes will last longer in an HE
washer. Top loaders are very violent, dragging your clothes all around
the tub, sometimes wrapping them around the central shaft. In front
loader, they are gently tumbled around and around, causing less damage
to your clothes
Less drycleaning
As HE washers are gentlier on your clothes, you can wash more of them
in the machine that you might take to the dry cleaners. It also has a
larger drum, making more room for large items you used to have to take
to the dry cleaners.
Less detergent
HE washers use HE detergent, so you have to
buy detergent with the HE symble on it. The good news about that is
that you use less of it. Most detergents are now phosphate free, but
check the container to make sure, this will help the environment even
more.
Noise Polution
Front-loading HE washers are quieter than top loaders. This will lower the noise polution in your home.
Rebates
Many localities and states offer tax rebates if you
buy an HE washer. In Oregon I can get $75 back as a state tax rebate
(not refund). I can also get $100 credit from my electric company
(Portland General Electric). I'm told that other water and electric
companies offer the same. Call your local electric water and power
companies to see if they offer any incentives for HE washers.
Overall savings
I don't yet know what the overall savings will be in my case. I'll
have to wait a few months until I get a couple water and electric bills
to compare. I'll then need to compare to the same time last year (we
consume differently in different seasons). It is, however, clear that
with the incentives and water and electricity saving, that I'll be
saving a nice chunk of change, even though I spent more than I would
have with a top loader.
