Water consumption per cycle
The volume of water used by the washing machine during a standard wash cycle. It is measured while washing the maximum amount of cotton underwear for this model with a normal programme and a temperature of 60 degrees.
When evaluating efficiency, one should consider not only the actual water consumption but also the maximum load. So, for example, a model with a load of 7 kg and a consumption of 49 litres per kilogram of laundry will be more economical than a model of 5 kg with a consumption of 40 litres: the first consumes 49/7 = 7 litres per 1 kg of laundry, the second 40/5 = 8 litres per kilogram. This moment is important, first of all, if a large amount of washing is expected.
Many modern automatic washing machines are equipped with intelligent systems that can adjust the water consumption to the actual load and avoid overspending.
Heating element material
The material from which the heater is made. It is a tubular electric heater that heats the water in the machine to the desired temperature. Its durability and resistance to limescale depend on the material of the heating element. The following materials can be applied to date:
— Stainless steel. The classic material, used most widely, provides good efficiency. Hovewer, steel heating elements are prone to the formation of limescale, which can disable the heater and will need to be changed. Therefore, with the high hardness of the water used for washing, it is recommended to use a special protective agent.
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With ceramic coating. The main feature of the ceramic coating is its high resistance to scale formation, due to which such heaters can last much longer than steel heaters without additional protection, even with hard water. On the other hand, machines with ceramic heating elements are more expensive, all other things being equal.
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Nickel plated. Another option is designed to reduce the formation of scale on heating elements. Such a coating ensures the durability of the heating element, while it is considered more efficient and energy-saving than ceramics because nickel has a high thermal conductivity
— No heater. The absence of any heating element in the design of the machine. This feature is typical for the
semi-automatic models..., where you need to fill in water manually. Such machines are designed for relatively simple washing; they have a minimum of features and are noticeably inferior to automatic models in terms of washing efficiency. On the other hand, they are much more convenient to transport and are well suited for conditions where there is no way to connect a machine to the water supply.Number of programmes
When selecting a washing machine based on the number of programs, it's important to keep in mind that having 12 to 16 modes is typically sufficient. More programs, such as 25 or more, may simply offer variations of the same standard programs with different settings for duration, temperature, spin speed, etc. This may not necessarily provide a wider variety of programs. Additionally, machines with the same number of modes may have different specific sets of programs. While more modes increase the possibilities for selecting an optimal mode, it also significantly increases the cost.
Steam wash
A special washing mode. Instead of water, hot steam is supplied to the drum of the machine. Steam penetrates better between the fibres of the fabric, which makes washing more effective than washing with hot water. At the same time, due to the high temperature of the steam — above 100 degrees — the best antibacterial effect is achieved since water in the liquid state rarely heats up above 95 degrees in washing machines. In addition,
steam wash saves water and electricity, but such machines themselves are quite expensive.
Leak protection
An automatic safety system that controls the integrity of the system for supplying and draining water to the washing machine and stops the water supply in the event of a leak. The protection can be installed on the hoses, on the body, or both (full protection).
Leak-proof hoses are equipped with special sensors and solenoid valves at both ends that shut off the water supply in the event of a breach in the hose. They can be used for both sampling and draining water. It is worth noting that for most washing machines, leak-proof hoses can be purchased separately, even if they are not included in the original package.
Protection of the body of the washing machine is carried out using sensors installed on the bottom of the device isolated from water. When water enters the bottom, its supply to the machine is turned off. The presence of leak protection allows you to avoid troubles like a short circuit or a flood in the house. However,
leak-proof machines are more expensive than conventional machines, all other things being equal.
Energy class
This parameter characterizes the efficiency of electricity consumption by the washing machine. Classes are designated in Latin letters from A to G, in ascending order of energy consumption. At the same time, in class
A there are subclasses "A+", "
A++ " and "A+++"; more pluses means less energy consumption, and the most economical option to date —
A +++ — outperforms class A by almost a third.
Machines of classes
A + and above are today considered economical, class A — medium, lower classes — high consumption. However, indicators below A are typical for semiautomatic low-cost models. As well as for units with dryers (see above) in which high energy consumption is simply inevitable.
Energy class (new)
This parameter characterizes the efficiency of electricity consumption by the washing machine. Classes are designated in Latin letters from A to G in ascending order of energy consumption. This was originally conceived until more energy-efficient models pulled up to class A, which eventually received the marking A+, A++, and A+++. Further development of technology has made it possible to go even further, and in order not to produce pluses in energy efficiency labelling, in March 2021, manufacturers returned to the previous indices from G to A, where A is the most energy efficient washing machine. Accordingly, the 2021 models will have modern markings, while older models will be marked in the same way.
Noise class
This indicator allows customers to decipher the values of the noise level in decibels. It is marked, like other classes, in Latin letters, where A is the quietest class of washing machines.
Reloading hatch
The presence in the machine
additional hatch designed for reloading laundry right in the process of washing (although this will have to pause the programme). Such a hatch usually takes the form of a small "door" on the main door of the washing machine; by opening this “door”, you can put the necessary items in a special compartment, and when closed, they will “unload” inside the drum.
The main purpose of this function is obvious: reloading the machine with items that the user remembered after the start of washing. Reloading eliminates the need to run a separate wash cycle for these items (or stop the current programme, drain the water and start all over again). Also note that this feature can be useful in other situations: for example, you can first load laundry for pre-washing, and when the preliminary programme is over, add laundry that does not require such washing to them.