Originally intended to document my experience of DeLorean ownership, focus is often radical and strange, boring and obtuse.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

New Frigidaire Gallery Washer

Washer hook-ups require camouflage T-shirts. You must blend in to avoid death.After our old Maytag bit the big one, Suz and I began researching different washing machines from different companies. We took a lot of advice from a lot of people, added it all together, and concluded that a front-load washer was the only way to go. We did not forget our first washer/dryer combo unit - a Frigidaire Gallery series set which gave flawless operation - and weighed that heavily into our decision.

I am partial to Frigidaire for various reasons, so we decided Frigidaire was the way to go again. As a bonus, they were all on sale at Leon's, so we knocked about $250 off the price of our new Frigidaire Gallery Series Super Capacity washer. And Leon's gave us free delivery to boot.

I knew that front load washers used up to 60% less water, and far less energy than top-load washers. However, knowing that bit of information still did not prepare me. Our new Energy-Star washer uses a mere 215 kwh per year.

Just how low is 215 kwh per year? By comparison, the power consumption of all 2006 models of washing machines ranged from 113 kwh/year to 680 kwh/year, including top loaders. So 215 kwh/year is pretty awesome, especially considering how much energy our beastly, 25-year-old Maytag was using.

Still wondering how low 215 kwh per year is? The Energy Guide system estimates this washing machine's yearly operating cost at a mind-blowing $11, based on eight (8) loads of laundry per week and 91.0¢ per therm for natural gas. But Suz and I only do 1 load of laundry per week. Hmm. Let's do some math and figure it out.

215/8 = 26.875 kwh.

Our yearly operating cost drops to 26.9 kwh per year. And since we do most of our laundry in cold water, the natural gas price doesn't really affect us. Well, that $11-per-year operating cost must drop as well. Hmm. More math!

$11/8 = 1.37

So, because we only do one load of laundry per week, our yearly operating cost drops from $11 to a jaw-dropping $1.37. That's $1.37 for 52 loads of laundry. MORE MATH!

$1.37/52 = 0.026¢

What does that mean? Each load of laundry we do costs us approximately 2 and a half cents, and that includes any hot water we might use. I cannot even fathom how this is possible.

Especially after seeing how fast the drum spins after the rinse cycle. When we removed our first load, the towels were dry. We don't even need a dryer any more! The only thing we have to worry about is buying the expensive high-efficiency detergent. And Zombies. You always have to worry about Zombies.

9 Comments:

Blogger mmat said...

i hate when zombies use my washer. they never separate the colours and the whites.

12:48:00 PM

 
Blogger Louisiana said...

i'm delighted that you guys went and bought the front loaders...see the perks are just staring to add up...congratulations..

i'm definetely considering them here myself...not just because they are sleek and beautiful but because i don't lie when i tell you, we do around 3 loads a day..or should. But we don't and then spend 2 full days of laundry since first thing to late, late...my goodness, too many clothe..i would implement double underwear days, but i still can't make myself, lol..

i cannot imagine what one load a wk would feel like...it must be heaven!

1:05:00 PM

 
Blogger Martini said...

Chana, I can only imagine the mountains of clothes you and your baseball team of kids must create. I don't know how you do it. With the front-loaders, you have to keep the door shut so kids can't lock themselves inside.

mmat - LOL! Stoopid zombies! Haha! I say let 'em wear their pink undies.

3:28:00 PM

 
Blogger Vengelyne said...

My dad always says front loaders are better cos he knows how to fix even the commercial washing machines... but, I dunno how to work mine at home; hence, I wash my clothes the primitive way -- by hand!

3 more days before my parents return. No more doing own laundry then. Yay!!! Can't wait!

5:13:00 AM

 
Blogger Martini said...

By Hand?!?!?
That's either an act of insanity, or you only own delicate lingerie. The latter would be better. :)

12:17:00 PM

 
Blogger Ham said...

I'm currently paying $1.50/load to do my laundry. Now that's insane. And it explains the current 2-week build up and the reason behind my these-are-the-only-clean-clothes-I-have outfit.

12:45:00 PM

 
Blogger Martini said...

Ouch. Reminds me of that girl on What Not To Wear who only owned one pair of pants. Yep. One. And she wore 'em every single day.

3:07:00 PM

 
Blogger Ham said...

I own at least 20 (I'm being conservative), and I still wear the same ones almost every single day.

This is why I must break a 20 on my way home from work.

1:50:00 PM

 
Blogger Rainypete said...

Our high efficiency front loader has been spinning nicely for about 3 years now. I don't buy any of that HE detergent though. We got a sample and it didn't do any better a job, but manages to cost that little bit more. Kind of eats away at the money you've just saved. They are nice though as you have something to watch while the spin cycle takes place. Just make sure you level the machine before you use it or your neightbor might enjoy your new washer wandering through their basement wall.

11:06:00 AM

 

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