In a high-efficiency (HE) washer, load capacities are generally larger than with a traditional washer, partially because the
High-efficiency washers (HE) feature technology that helps to reduce the amount of water and energy needed to do a load of laundry. They use up to 80% less water than traditional, top-loading washers, deliver 65% energy savings, and also can wash more laundry in one go than traditional machines.
Overall, high efficiency washers are highly recommended, but there are a few drawbacks. For starters, they cost more than regular washers. They also take longer to wash, and in most cases, they're larger than traditional washing machines.
HE washers with impellers are designed to provide a thorough clean with less water. HE washers with agitators use less water too, but not as little as impeller models. Front-load washers will use less water than top-load washers2.
One possible culprit could be a faulty water inlet valve. Over time, these valves can become clogged with debris, preventing the free flow of water. A malfunctioning valve requires replacement. A faulty pressure switch could also cause the washer not fill.
However, in the UK, the integrated design of these appliances often means that heightened energy efficiency not only leads to lower energy usage but also correlates with reduced water consumption during wash cycles, thanks to advanced internal sensors and precision dosing.
But, HE Washers Have Longer Wash Cycles.
Since they use less water, they take longer to wash and rinse clothes to get them clean.
Regular detergent shouldn't be used in HE washers because it produces too many suds in low water levels. This can potentially lengthen the wash cycle, affect the cleaning performance or overflow the machine. High-efficiency washers work at peak performance with HE detergent.
Compared to normal top load washers, these HE bad boys use far less water while also extracting more water (thanks to its faster spin mechanism) so it takes less dry time and provides more savings to your wallet. HE top load washers come without an agitator so there's room for more laundry per load.
Front load washer
If you really want to save water, front-load washers are the champions of water efficiency. Their sealed drum design uses only enough water to saturate the clothes for cleaning, significantly reducing water usage.
It could be a clogged water inlet valve, a faulty water supply line, or even a low water pressure issue in your home. Ignoring these problems can not only make your laundry task more time-consuming but can also lead to poor washing results and put undue strain on your washing machine, reducing its lifespan.
It's generally recommended to clean your washing machine once a month, especially if you want to prevent musty odours from forming inside the drum and keep your clothes smelling great.
This could be caused by low water pressure or clogged water valve screens. Check the water valve screens on the water inlet hoses. For more information, see our Washer - Screens in Hot & Cold Water Inlets / Connections article.
A washing machine with an impeller uses less motion and water than a washer with an agitator. Designed so laundry has more room to move, it drives clothes from the outer rim of the wash basket to the center, using a small amount of water to optimize the friction. This is what helps deliver a gentle, yet thorough clean.
A washing machine not draining can have multiple causes, including a clogged or jammed drain hose or a broken pump, lid switch, or belt.
Lucky for you, many of Tide's detergents are HE compatible: In addition to lifting soils off from clothes and preventing them from redepositing on the garments, they're also formulated to control and reduce sudsing, saving you time, water, and energy.
As an overall rule, 2 tablespoons is how much detergent you really need for a standard laundry load size.
Homemade laundry soap can be HE machine-safe if formulated to produce low suds that meet the machine's requirements. However, homemade laundry soap that causes too many suds can cause issues, residue build-up, or insufficient cleaning, which affects the machine's longevity and efficiency.
If your wash cycle is taking a long time to complete, or if there is an error message, it may be because the washer is off balance or overloaded. Wait until the cycle has completed before attempting to open the door. Try rearranging items inside the machine, or removing bulky items, and manually re-centering the tub.
HE washers use a specific high-efficiency detergent designed to work with lower water levels while still providing a powerful clean. Compared to older models, HE washers save 6,000 gallons of water per year for an average family, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Many HE washers are ENERGY STAR certified, which means they use about 25% less energy and 33% less water than regular washers1. ENERGY STAR states that, on average, an ENERGY STAR certified washer uses 14 gallons of water per load, while a standard washing machine uses 20 gallons of water per load1.
Less water also means concentrated cleaning. Rather than diluting detergent as done in traditional-style deep fill washers, low water levels help target hard to clean soils and stains. HE detergent is designed for today's washing machine water use.
Cycle times are much longer partly due to the low water use—it takes longer to get clothes clean. Since a high-efficiency washer uses less water, low-sudsing HE detergent must be used in these washers in order for cycles including the rinsing action to work as designed.