Washing Machine Selection Criteria. Before heading to the appliance store for a sale, it's important to know how to choose a quality washing machine.
After reading this article, you will learn how to choose the product you need at an affordable price.
General information
The first criterion is the size of the washing machine you need. There are full-size and compact units. Full-size washing machines can hold more laundry than compact units. However, they also consume significantly more energy than compact units. Energy refers to the amount of water per wash cycle and the energy used for washing. Compact machines can be installed under a sink or in a small cabinet.
It's also important to understand what type of download you need. There are two types: frontal And verticalTheir operating principles are very different. Top-loading washing machines are not connected to a water supply; you must fill the washing machine with water using a special hose and drain it yourself.
These types of washing machines are not common in residential apartments due to their inconvenience, but they can be installed in places where plumbing is unavailable. If you're choosing a washing machine for a summer house without plumbing or running water, this type of machine is ideal.
Wash quality
Another selection criterion is wash quality and spin quality. Special quality levels have been developed for spinning and washing. The levels range from G to A, with G being the lowest and A the highest. The wash quality of most washing machines today is virtually identical, with all machines achieving levels A-A+, so there's no need to worry about wash quality these days. Spin quality is the opposite.
Machines come with all levels of spin quality. The spin quality refers to how damp the item is after washing. Level G has 90% moisture, while Level A has less than 50%. The difference is significant, so pay attention when buying.
Also, decide what type of motor you need. There are now motors that operate using carbon brushes, which generate electricity through friction that powers the machine, and there are also inverter motors. Inverter motors convert direct current to alternating current and wear out less than brushed motors. However, machines with these motors are much more expensive than machines with older motors.
Resource consumption
The next parameter is water consumption for washing. If you have a water meter in your apartment, to avoid a huge water bill, choose a machine that uses less water per wash. Average water consumption per wash is 35-50 liters.
The second essential resource for washing is electricity. It's worth noting that the washing machine itself requires a lot of electricity. In older homes with outdated wiring, the machine may trip a fuse, causing your circuit breaker to blow mid-wash. Keep this in mind. Modern washing machines are generally energy-efficient, but still, pay attention to this when purchasing.
Another important criterion is the noise level of the washing machine. Peak noise levels are usually reached during the spin cycle. During the wash cycle, the noise level should not exceed 56 decibels, and during the spin cycle, no more than 70 decibels.
How many programs?
If you're choosing a washer-dryer, ask the seller how many drying programs the machine has. This is necessary to select the right drying mode for each type of laundry. It's also worth noting that the amount of laundry dried is half the amount washed, so keep this in mind. More advanced models dry based on moisture measurements in the drum. This saves energy, but these machines will also be more expensive.
In addition to all of the above, pay attention to the protection systems built into the machine. If you live in an older home, consider washing machines with a voltage stabilizer. With this protection system, your machine won't notice any voltage surges.
Also pay attention to leak protection systems. Water can most often leak from either the supply or drain hose or from the machine's housing. The housing should have a special tray with a float that will stop the machine in the event of a leak. The hoses should also have special valves to regulate the water flow.
Control
The final factor is control. Today's washing machines are packed with features, so it's important to know how to use them.
For ease of use, consider models with electronic controls. These machines automatically determine the amount of water and detergent required for a single wash.
By and large, any modern washing machine can handle the tasks required. The most important criteria for most people will be the drum capacity and the size of the washing machine. So, you should choose based on these criteria, and then consider the machine's internals later.
