Appliance Deep Dive Round Up

Putting It All Together To See What Makes Appliances Tick

Appliances might not be the most interesting topic in the world, but they are a basic part of the American home. They make our lives easier, most of the time. According to Merriam-Webster, “ an appliance is a device or piece of equipment designed to perform a specific task, typically a domestic one.”  Over the last year we’ve broken down every major appliance in the home, to go deep into what makes the different appliances work and what matters. 

Each of the posts covers the important parts of their appliances. How do the appliances work? What sort of variations are there? What are the differences that are important to know if you’re looking to purchase? What features would you expect to find? So that’s the way each one works. We want to highlight the different posts, make them easier to find, and most importantly, show off something from each of them that might be of interest. 

All About the Refrigerator 

Let’s start off looking at the 5 major styles of refrigerators. When it comes to refrigerators you’ve got freezerless refrigerators, top freezers, bottom freezers, side by sides, and french doors.  Even though the first three are listed by the location or lack of a freezer, they are still refrigerators. Why are they listed by the freezer then? Probably because they’re still refrigerators without much of a change. Even the Side by Sides and the French Door refrigerators are most defined by how they’re set up rather than any change in what they do. While that might seem odd, it’s because refrigerators don’t grow by leaps and bounds in terms of food storage. They grow by tiny moments, small improvements to how long food stays good. So the biggest factor for you as a home owner, is how you want them to look. 

All About the Freezer

The freezer is both very similar and yet very different from the refrigerator. It doesn’t change much from one year to another, but instead, it slowly improves how long food can be kept. Changes to a lack of frostbite or lack of ice building up, they’re great! But overall, the freezer doesn’t change much in terms of its function. Instead, how the freezer is set up is what changes. For the freezer, your types are the portable freezer, a chest freezer,  an upright freezer, and drawer freezers. 

All About the Oven

Ovens are fantastic and have been for quite some time. The earliest ovens have been found in 29,000 BC. The varieties we have now are many, and the features are even more plentiful. We have gas and electric ovens, we have convection ovens, and steam ovens as well.  Our favorite feature though is a toss up between the warming drawer and the steam clean function. No matter how many times we fix ovens that have that feature we have to be grateful for it. 

All About the Stove 

  When it comes to the stove, everyone knows about gas stoves and electric stoves. The fights between the chefs will continue for ages yet, but for us, we love the induction stove. The fact that it’s nigh on impossible to be burned by the stove now is a fantastic thing. We also love that many stoves also offer continuous grates, which is wonderful for making breakfast foods of all sorts. After all, who doesn’t love breakfast? 

All About the Dishwasher

For dishwashers the types you might have include built-in, drawer, portable, countertop and integrated. Dishwashers are constantly changing though and offering new tools and techniques to make them better. When researching this we found that our favorite feature was the sensor wash.  This one feature makes it much easier to manage your water bill, and only uses the amount that’s needed to clean the dishes. 

All About the Washer

We’re tempted to say that the best part of the article is adding ‘laundry’ to the list of things that are consistent in life, but that would be a rather morose thought. Instead, for us it was learning about the existence of washer-dryer combinations. It’s not an efficient machine. It’s not an easy to use machine. The fact that it exists though, is where any appliance starts, as it can’t get better if it doesn’t exist yet. 

All About the Dryer 

And finally we have dryers. There are so many different types of dyers. They can all be said to do the same thing, but how they go about it? That’s wildly different. You’ve got gas dryers and electric dryers, but that’s just the power source. More important are the heat pump condenser dryers which use a technique similar to a refrigerator to make a dryer work many times more efficiently than the dryers any of us grew up with. 

And that’s that! If you’re looking to find out more about the options as of right now (2022) these are the posts to check out. Upgrades will come with time and we’ll update the page as well, diving in and letting you know what we’ve found as always. Let us know on Facebook or in the comments below, which article do you find the most useful? 

If instead you’re here because one of your appliances is making the holidays a nightmare, we can help with that! You can reach out to us on our contact page, or by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055). Even with the holidays, we’ll work with you to find a time that works best for you. At Appliance Rescue Service our goal is to get your home running smoothly again, whether it’s an oven that won’t stay lit, a dishwasher that isn’t draining or a dryer that’s squeaking.

Oven Deep Dive

 How does it work, why does it work, and how can you break an oven?

We are back again for our final appliance deep dive article. This one is all about the oven in your kitchen. We bake with it, we cook with it, we roast with it, and that’s only some of what your oven allows you to do. We're taking a look at the types of fuel, the parts that you need to be aware of, and the most common features that you can be on the lookout for. 

Types of Ovens

When it comes to ovens, there are three main categories. You have your conventional electric oven, your conventional gas oven, your steam oven, and then the convection oven. 

A conventional oven will cook your food by heating it with radiant heat created by the internal elements rather than an open flame. There are typically two heating elements or resistors in the top and bottom of the oven. Because of the ease of production, this is the most common and most basic oven available on the market. However, these are also not as precise when it comes to cooking. They're fantastic for cooking lots of food, they heat up quickly and evenly, and as we said, they're easy to replace. 

A conventional gas oven, on the other hand, is much better for more precise foods. A gas oven dates back to the 19th century. They can still be found all across the globe, both because they're effective in terms of cost and also because of the ability to fine-tune the temperature. 

The pieces within your gas oven are the ignition, the cooling fan, the thermostat, and the burner or burners, depending. The most important though is the flame failure device. This tool works to cut off the gas supply and prevents the build-up of gases if something goes wrong.

Your gas oven today is actually much safer than many would have you believe when treated properly and maintained. In the past, gas ranges and wall ovens used what was called a free-standing pilot light. Today they rely on a safety valve, that flame failure valve that we mentioned, that doesn't permit gas to flow into the burner unless the igniter is producing enough heat to ignite the gas. If there's no electricity, the oven igniter doesn't get hot enough, and therefore the gases cannot build up. 

The steam oven, though, is an oven that either cooks just by using steam or has an additional steam function on top of other more 'standard' functions that it can switch in between. Most steam ovens function by siphoning water from a cistern that you fill up into a built in boiler. That gets heated to 212* F and then vented into the oven. The heat from the steam is just as effective for cooking your food as any other method, and can actually be faster. 

Our final style of oven, the convection oven, is actually different from either the electric convection oven or the gas oven. In this type of oven, the main feature is actually the fan that enhances both the circulation of air and the temperature in the oven. The other elements include a tray at the bottom to protect your bake elements from drips or spills, a fan blade, a cooling compartment, and a convection baffle. If you're like most people and haven't heard of a battle before this is a case that protects and encloses the fan separate from the rest of the oven. The fan serves to move hot air evenly around your food, causing a faster cooking time.

The convection oven is for more than baking, although that is what some say it's best for it's capable of roasting, broiling, toasting, and dehydrating. All of that with hot "just" hot air. 

Parts of Your Oven

Now, while it's true that your oven types are all very different, there are some similarities that can be found across all of them.

All ovens are going to have an element that accomplishes the goal of making it into a very, very hot box. Electric ovens have a bake element, gas ovens have the burner system, the steam oven has the boiler, and the convection ovens have fan and bake elements. 

They also all have an internal thermostat that's meant to measure the heat inside and shift temperatures as needed. If your oven that you're dealing with is particularly old you might not have that and will need to look for other methods of checking the temperature. 

Most will also feature a small vent inside to help with mitigating the smoke that can be created or a duct for removing the smoke outside.

Beyond these few parts though, your ovens will be different. It's best to hold on to your manual when you purchase it so that you can reference it as needed.

Features With Your Oven 

All right, that's the boring stuff Let's move on to some of the interesting stuff like features you can look out for.

Multiple types of heat settings - 

We love it when an oven has options from baking to boiling to 'keep warm’. Because cooking can be so different at different stages having something like this makes life so much easier and more precise.

Dedicated warmer tray or drawer-

Instead of offering a separate mode, some ovens will offer a dedicated section of the oven for keeping foods at a certain temperature. This is fantastic if you are looking to proof bread or wanting to keep different pieces of a meal warm while other pieces are still cooking.

Steam cleaning mode-

As we've mentioned before, the only good way to clean your oven is with elbow grease. However, we will say that ovens which come with a steam clean mode rather than the burning method, are much more to our liking. These make it so much easier to get in and get everything wiped off and don't require running the risk of melting and important component within your oven.

Safety locks-

Parents rejoice! It is possible to find ovens that feature a safety lock to keep your little ones out of the oven. While that is one feature in a household of many places they can get into, it is definitely a worthwhile feature in our opinion. 

Did you learn what you expected about ovens? Did we miss something glaringly obvious? Let us know over on our Facebook page or in the comments below. 

If, instead, you are here because your oven specifically is giving you trouble, we're sorry to hear that. You can reach out to us via our contact page or by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055) to set up an appointment today. We will work with you to find a time that works best for you and your schedule. At Appliance Rescue Service, our goal is to get your home running smoothly again.

P.S. And for those of you wondering the answer to our question in the headline of how to break an oven? The answer is easy, you press the “Self-clean” button.

What is the Most Energy Efficient Clothes Dryer?

The Top Energy Star Rated Dryer And 4 Others That Come Close!

We're back at it again, looking to find the most energy-efficient appliances for your home! This time we're looking at your dryer and seeing what we can come up with. We'll walk through the different types of dryers first, then what makes them efficient, followed by five of the most energy-efficient dryers on the market for 2022, and wrap up with tips for purchasing a new dryer or making your current one more efficient. 

Categories of Dryer 

Vented Dryers

Vented Dryers can be broken down into either gas or electric dryers, with both types working mostly the same.  Both contain a heating element that raises the temperature of the air inside the dryer drum. The moisture that then evaporates from the clothes is vented out through aluminum ducts. 

Ventless Dryers 

These dryers are better for smaller spaces like apartments and tiny homes. Instead of having built-in ducts, They contain all of the heat and moisture inside of the machine. The water can be drained out of a reservoir later and should be done between loads for best use. 

Condenser

A condenser dryer is different from both of the previous models in that it pumps out the water.  It starts by pulling air in from outside the machine and over the heating elements, which then gets pumped into the drum of the dryer. The air is then pulled back out as cooled air, which gets condensed further into water and is pumped out. This process is repeated until the end of the process. 

Heat Pump Condenser

Our final variety of dryer is a heat pump condenser. These are even more efficient than any of the previous options using about 1/2 of the energy that they require.  A heat pump condenser is different because it uses a refrigerant system with both hot and cold coils. Instead of consistently drawing in air the way a condenser does, it keeps the air internal and constantly heats and cools It as needed to remove moisture from the air.  That water is then drained into a holding tank in the dryer that you empty as needed. 

For people who wash a lot of laundry and have high electricity rates, a heat pump condenser is a great choice because of how energy efficient it is. 

Ratings according to Energy Star 

How do you tell, though, when something is efficient vs. when it's not? When it comes to clothes dryers, you're going to be looking at a term we've seen in one of our other articles, Combined Energy Factor. CEF is a measure of energy efficiency based on a couple of different factors, which, combined together, show how much the dryer is going to be affecting your energy bill. The higher the CEF, the more efficient the dryer is. 

Top 5 Energy-Efficient Dryers According to Energy Star for 2022

1- Beko - HPD24414W 

Electric Standard Ventless - Heat Pump

Combined Energy Factor (CEF)Field details:11.0

Drum Capacity (cu-ft):4.5

Estimated Annual Energy Use (kWh/yr):217

Optisense Technology

Internal smart sensors allow you to choose how dry you want your clothes and will stop the dryer when that level of dryness is detected

16 Programs

Unique drying cycles that include: Permanent Press, Delicates, Gentle Care, Express 45, Wools, Jeans, Silent, Super Quick 30, and even Baby Sanitize

2- Blomberg - DHP24404W

Electric Standard Ventless - Heat Pump

Combined Energy Factor (CEF): 11.0

Drum Capacity (cu-ft): 4.5

Estimated Annual Energy Use (kWh/yr): 217

Anti-Creasing Option

The gentle drum action of a Blomberg dryer separates and smooths out individual garments as they dry, so when the cycle finishes clothes come out wrinkle-free and ready to wear. 

Gentle Care

Blomberg's closed loop heat exchange system means the heat pump dryers use a circulating air temperature that is consistently 40 percent lower than conventional dryers. This gentle care helps keep all fabrics-even woolens-at their best and extend garment.

Quick Drying

An 8.45 lb. load will dry in less than one hour. They also save your clothes. Faster drying and cooler temperatures reduce friction and shrinkage for clothes that look their best and last longer.

Direct Draining

A calibrated water-level sensor identifies any deviation from the correct water level in the tank and automatically starts draining if the level is exceeded.

16 Drying Cycles

Choose between Automatic Regular/Delicate Cycle, Automatic Perm Press/Knits Cycle, and Air Fluff / no heat.

3- Miele - PDR908 HP 

Electric Standard Ventless - Heat Pump

Combined Energy Factor (CEF): 9.75

Drum Capacity (cu-ft): 4.6

Estimated Annual Energy Use (kWh/yr): 245

Honeycomb Drum

Less folding, easy finishing: Laundry is dried very gently and evenly in the honeycomb drum.

PerfectDry System

The Miele PerfectDry system dries garments perfectly.

Intelligent Dryers

Gentle and uniform drying thanks to intelligent technology.

Short Program Cycles

Premium commercial technology allows you to benefit from the shortest program cycles.

4- Asko - T411HS.W.U 

Electric Standard Ventless - Heat Pump

Combined Energy Factor (CEF): 9.1

Drum Capacity (cu-ft): 4.9

Estimated Annual Energy Use (kWh/yr): 263

Butterfly™ Drying System

The two paddles inside the machine gently push the clothing in a figure eight, to spread the garments out and allow air to circulate through them evenly.

Soft Drum™ Technology

The new drum design enhances airflow around the load, thereby increasing the drying effect and allowing for even and gentle drying with both small and large loads.

Air Lift™ Paddles

The Air Lift™ paddles are designed to lift the load as high as possible for increased time in the air flow to enhance the drying effect and shorten the drying time while preventing them from bundling.

Multi Filter System™

This is a filter system of five different filters that ensures that all lint and even smaller particles are trapped before they reach the sensitive inner parts of the tumble dryer.

Lint Trap™

The Lint Trap™ is placed in the door and is designed to be easy to empty and clean.

16 Programs

This dryer comes with 16 drying programs to choose from - Auto Extra Dry, Auto Dry, Auto Normal Dry, Auto Iron Dry, Jeans, Synthetic, Terry, Down, Bedding, Silk/Wool, Shirts, Steam Wrinkle Care, Steam Refresh, Quick Pro, Time, and Airing.

Drying Sensor

ASKO dryers with a sensor system will dry your clothes in the shortest possible time and with lowest possible energy consumption.

Steam Wrinkle Care

Repetitive steam injections and heat treatment to eliminate creases in the fabric. Low heat is used to also cater for sensitive fabrics.

Quick Pro Cycle

With this program, you can get your wash completely dry in less than an hour.

Mesh Filter

This filter traps slightly smaller particles than the Lint Trap™ and is automatically cleaned with water.

Foam Filter

As a final step before the air hits the condenser, the foam filter traps the

smallest dust particles.

Lint Cup

Models with a steam function have an additional small filter, the Lint Cup, that protects the steam generator from lint and dust.

65 dB(A) noise level

LCD display

Interior light

Remaining time and program end indicator

5- Samsung - DV53BB89**H*

Electric Standard Ventless - Heat Pump 

Combined Energy Factor (CEF): 8.5

Drum Capacity (cu-ft): 7.8

Estimated Annual Energy Use (kWh/yr): 281

AI Optimal Dry

Automatically chooses the best settings based on what you're drying

Super Speed Dry

Dry a full load in just 30 minutes and achieve a complete wash and dry in under an hour with an added Super Speed Washer

MultiControl™

Eliminate the long reach and operate your dryer right from your washer when the units are stacked

AI Smart Dial

Simplifies your dryer's control panel, learns and recommends your favorite cycles, and allows you to customize your cycle list, making laundry day a breeze

20 Dry Cycles

More cycles to cover almost every washing need for your active family

Sensor Dry

Automatically optimizes the time and temperature of your drying cycle to protect your clothes from heat damage while avoiding excess energy use.

Steam Sanitize+

Samsung Steam Sanitize+ cycle removes 95% of pollen from fabric, while Multi-Steam refreshes clothing and relaxes light wrinkles.

Wrinkle Prevent

It prevents clothes from getting wrinkled

Vent Sensor

Continuously monitors the condition of your dryer's air duct to make sure it's running safely and efficiently.

Drying Rack

The included drying rack provides a perfect place to dry delicate items, sweaters, and footwear gently.

As you can tell, all of these are Heat Pump, ventless, electric-powered dryers. The reason for this is that currently, those are the most efficient and effective models on the market. 

Tips for Energy-Efficient Dryers

If you're looking at buying a new dryer, look for one with these features: 

Sensors to Detect When Clothes Are Dry -Just what it says on the tin. If you make sure that the dryer is no longer running when the clothes are dry, you’re saving energy as well as saving your clothes from additional wear and tear.

Delayed Start- Make use of any time based discounts for energy in your area with a delayed start on your dryer.

Steam Cycle- This helps save you time on ironing or re-running the clothes to prevent or remove wrinkles.

Steam Cycles - Many ENERGY STAR dryers also include convenient features, such as a steam cycle that can help save time on ironing clothes by preventing wrinkles. 

If however you're looking to make the one, you already have more efficient, try these tips: 

-Dry your loads back to back.  Doing this means that the dryer doesn't have to heat up as much by comparison to letting it cool in between. 

- Separate out your lights and your heavier materials. If your dryer already has a sensor for when something is done, this is more effective. The point, though is that your lighter clothes (socks, pajamas, t-shirts etc) are going to dry much more quickly than your heavy materials like sheets, towels, & denims. Save yourself time and energy by separating them so that when you're waiting for a load to dry it's because everything is still drying, not just one or two items. 

-Don't overload the dryer.  If the clothes don't have a way to tumble around and have air circulating, then it's much harder for them to dry.  

-Make sure your dryer vent is regularly cleaned if you have one. Much like in our last tip, if the air cannot get out, the dryer has to work harder, and your electric bill is going to go higher. 

And that is our top five most energy-efficient dryers available on the market as of right now. What did you think? Were you helped more by the new dryers or the tips for improving your current dryer?  Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page! As always, we love to hear from you. 

If you're not looking to replace your dryer, it's just making weird rattling noises, we can help. You can reach out to us at ((214) 599-0055) or on our contact page. Wherever you live in the Dallas Metro area, we will work with you. At Appliance Rescue Service, our top goal is to get your home running smoothly again.  From Addison to Frisco, we're here for you. 

Halloween Horrors In Your Home?

Maybe, Maybe Not

It's that time of year again when scary movies are on everybody's mind, and everyone is worried that their house is haunted. We're taking a look at some of the most common scary sounds and experiences you might have in your house this month and showing why you don't need to be afraid just yet. For the following 8, don't worry about a haunt but you might want to worry about your house.

Water Dripping From Walls 

We've all seen movies that have water dripping from the walls. Whether it's inside a seaside house or up in the mountains, you've got water where it shouldn't be. For this one, our suggestion is actually to check out your gutters. You want to be looking for signs that your gutters may have ripped away from the side of your house and are actually dripping down through the walls of your home instead of having the water run off through the piping. It won't be a nightmare in terms of your safety, but it will be a nightmare in terms of your pocketbook. The sooner you catch this one, the better.

Faucets Running/Dripping/Exploding

Photo: Shutterbug75

Someone says something that angers the ghost, and now instead of just having a leaky faucet, it's gone and exploded everywhere! We’ve seen this one in several movies and cartoons, and we’re quite glad to tell you it’s not a ghost. We're actually going to recommend that you double-check not what you're saying but instead that you haven't got your water pressure turned up too high, or a valve disconnected somewhere. It could just be bad timing that caused it to explode right then.

Weird Noises Coming From The Laundry Room

If you're stuck in a house that was built in the 1940s or 50s, you might have some weird sounds coming from the laundry room. Rattles and thumps, and squeaks abound in this room, even though the appliances are /brand new/! No in reality, it might just be that the appliances aren't leveled properly rather than the ghost of The Stepford wives coming after you. Don't worry too much about this one, but it is a good idea to have your local handyman come check it out just to be safe. After all, we wouldn't want your dryer to rattle itself loose from the wall.  

Rotting Food That Was Fresh

Photo: Marian Bijlenga

You've got food that you bought just a few days ago in your fridge or freezer. But you’ve got to make dinner or you forgot that your new neighbor is coming over, and you want to impress them. And when you pull it out, oh no, it's gone rotten. It must be the ghost, right? Nope! For this one, you're going to need to check a couple of different spots it might be that your fridge is not sealed properly, it might be that your freezer isn't sealing properly, or it could be that either one is actually not working at the proper temperature.

Burning Smells When You're Not Cooking

You might have weird burning smells around your home on a normal day where it doesn't entirely matter what you're doing. You're just getting normal chores done, but it smells like your house is burning. If that's the case, the first thing you want to check is your dryer. Have you been running the dryer while you have the smell? If the answer is yes, go ahead and take a closer look at the vents and the ducts for your dryer it's very possible that you have a dryer vent that needs to be cleared out and what you're smelling is the lint heating up to dangerous levels. So actually, let us backtrack and say that the first thing you need to do is unplug your dryer and then check out the ductwork. 

Things Turning Off And On Randomly 

What about having the lights flash on and off? You enter a room and lights turn on when they shouldn't, or you're working on something, and all of a sudden the lights shut off. This one, we're going to say have an electrician come and check out your lighting situation. Are there any shorts in the line? Are there any fuses that have been blown or maybe it's just a matter of something not being connected fully. Maybe a new light fixture that wasn't grounded? There are all sorts of reasons for this one that an electrician will be able to help you figure out.

High-Pitched Whining Sounds 

While you have the electrician hanging out at your house, you might want to have them help you with the high-pitched whining sounds. Well, this might be coming from electronics or electricity going through old copper, this can also be an issue with appliances such as your refrigerator or your dryer, in which case you'll need to call on an appliance technician. (psst, check out the link at the bottom.))

Mold And Mildew Spreading Through The House 

Photo: MabelAmber

What about all the mold and mildew though? You've got mold blooming in your basement and mildew in your kitchen. Proof that it is ghosts inhabiting your house. A dark aura driving you and everybody else insane. Well, unfortunately, different areas of your home can end up being a mold hotspot if you're not careful. It can come down to a matter of water getting trapped in a room or up near the ceiling and then mold having the right habitat to bloom in. You have to be diligent not only in getting a dehumidifier but also in keeping the areas clean and bleached in order to kill any hint of the mold or the spores if you catch it soon enough, that should be enough to kill it. However, if it is a full infestation and you're already noticing health issues, that is when you need to be more concerned about your health and may in fact have to rip everything out in that area.

The House Yells At You And Starts Playing Creepy Music When You Walk In The Door

Or you hear music come on as you enter your house. Don't worry that one's just your assistant of choice getting ready for Halloween! 

On the other hand, if you see any of the following, you should be worried.  

You have blood dripping from your walls, and you’re not living in an abattoir. 

If you have a pair of twins appearing at the end of different hallways that you definitely don't know and didn’t invite in. 

 A tall man with a hat who doesn't quite touch the floor when he’s floating there.

And that’s it for our Halloween post! Although we’re still a few days out, we couldn’t wait any longer for this one. Do you have plans for this Halloween? Let us know over on our Facebook page or in the comments below. 

If on the other hand, you really are suffering from some of the issues up above, we might be able to help. For a good half of them at least, an appliance technician is the best person to call. So if your appliances are haunting you,  reach out to us at ((214) 599-0055) or by getting in touch on our contact page. Appliance Rescue Service is here for you. 

Energy-Efficient Washing Machines

What they are, how they work, and what the best are in 2022

What is the most energy-efficient washer? The one you do by hand! Yep, we're back at it again, looking at energy-efficient appliances. This time we're looking at washing machines. Will tell you about what makes a washer energy efficient, what the difference is between energy-efficient and high efficiency, what the best on the market is right now, and what you can do to make your current one more efficient.

We're happy to say that this article is more straightforward than our last one on ovens.

To start with, what is it that makes a washer energy efficient? According to Energy Star, in order for a brand to have the logo on their washer, it needs to meet two criteria. First off, it has to have a high Integrated Modified Energy Factor, and second, it has to have a low Integrated Water Factor. We know you're looking at us and going what the heck does that mean? An Integrated Modified Energy Factor or IMEF, is a measure of energy efficiency that considers the energy used by the washer during both the cycle and while on standby. An Integrated Water Factor or IWF, is a measure of the water efficiency in gallons of water consumed per cubic foot of capacity for the washer drum. The lower the IWF the more efficient the washer. So in order for a washer to get the energy star logo it has to use 25% less energy and at least 33% less water than what is currently standard on the market.

So then, what are the most efficient washers for 2022, according to Energy Star?

You have the best IWF, and that is the

LG WM9500H*A

Front load washer

Has a volume of 5.8 cu.ft

Annual Energy Use: 120 kWh/yr

Annual water use: 4588 gallons/yr

IMEF: 3.1

IWF 2.7

Price: $1,799.00

Then we looked at the best IMEF.

Samsung- WF45A64*A*

Front load washer

Has a volume of 4.5 cu.ft

Annual Energy Use: 93 kWh/yr

Annual water use: 3807 gallons/yr

IMEF: 3.1

IWF 2.9

Price: $949.00

Our third washer is the best in terms of annual energy use.

Frigidaire - FWFX22D4EW

Front load washer

Has a volume of 4.4 cu.ft

Annual Energy Use: 50 kWh/yr

Annual water use: 4154 gallons/yr

IMEF: 2.76

IWF 3.2

Price: $700.00

Keep in mind that this one does have a lower IMEF and a higher IWF than others on the list so far, but for the amount of energy it uses, it seems like a fair trade-off.

The fourth one we looked at has the best annual water usage.

Asko- W2084.W.W

Front load washer

Has a volume of 2.0 cu.ft

Annual Energy Use: 75 kWh/yr

Annual water use: 1728 gallons/yr

IMEF: 2.31

IWF 2.9

Price: $1499.00

We will note that if you look at the volume of the washer, that's the reason the annual water usage is so low. So it might be a good option if you're looking to take care of a family of two or if you're on your own. We wouldn't necessarily suggest it for a family of three or more, though.

Our final washer that we looked at is the direct opposite of the last one and has the largest volume.

Maytag- MVWB955F

Top load washer

Has a volume of 6.2 cu.ft

Annual Energy Use: 197 kWh/yr

Annual water use: 6735 gallons/yr

IMEF: 2.38

IWF 3.7

Price: $ 1170.00

Even with the IMEF and IWF being wildly different from any of the others on the list, we still have to point out this is still an energy star washer. We also want to point out that this one is no longer being sold by Maytag directly, but you are likely to find it on secondary sale sites still. 

Now let's take a quick look at what is the difference between a high-efficiency washer and one with the energy star logo.

A machine with the energy star logo is a great place to start. They are at least 33% more efficient than what's on the market. However, a high-efficiency machine goes even further. Due to the way they're designed, they need even less water than those with the energy star logo. That's not a flaw of your standard washers but a design feature of the high-efficiency ones. They use a more concentrated detergent that reduces the suds and penetrates deeper into the fabric. That then requires less water to be used to rinse the clothes. And they also use less energy because they keep your clothes constantly moving during the washing cycle instead of using a central agitator. We wouldn't say that we're for or against high-efficiency machines? We'll repair all of them, and it really is based on what your household needs.

What if you can't replace your washer with one of these Energy Star wars? Is there anything that you can do to make your washer more efficient as it stands right now? The answer to that is a resounding yes.

Tip Number 1

To start with, maintain your machine. Just like cleaning the coils on your refrigerator or the ducts on your dryer, residue buildup on your washer will reduce its efficiency and make it work harder. To do this, you can have a professional come out, or you can do it on your own with recipes from around the web. Make sure to look at whether you have a high-efficiency machine or a standard washer before you do this.

Tip Number 2

Avoid the sanitary cycle. Unless it is truly necessary, say you got exposed to covid, heaven forbid, just don't use it. The amount of energy that goes into the sanitary cycle is unnecessary a large portion of the time.

Tip Number 3

If you're not already doing it, wash full loads. Although there are washers out there that allow you to wash just one item when you need it, it's better to wash a full load. Although we won't say it's the same for all washers, most washers will still use the same amount of energy and water for a partial load that they do for a full load. So you might as well get the most out of spending that money.

Tip Number 4

And for our final tip, wash in cold water. It uses less energy because you're not heating the water. It's kinder on your clothes. And it's just as effective as hot water washing if you're using the right detergent.

And that's that! Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page, did you have any further questions?

If not, or if you're looking to get your current washer looked at, give us a call at ((214) 599-0055) or reach out on our contact page. We'll work with you to find a time that fits your schedule best. Whether you're in The Colony or McKinney, Appliance Rescue Service is here for you.