Buying a washing machine is not as straightforward as you might think. There are various parameters that you should assess before you opt for a certain model. What drum size suits you best? What spin speed do you need? Are you concerned about energy efficiency? All these aspects are important and depend on your personal circumstances.
Having all that in mind, this article is here to help. So, let’s talk about some important things for you to consider so that you find the best option in the end.
Choosing the right size
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Size is an important factor for a washing machine for many reasons. The most obvious one is about how much laundry you can wash per wash. In combination with other factors, size can oftentimes indicate efficiency as well. Ultimately, if you fail to choose the right size, you might have problems with the installation due to the lack of space.
How should you measure the size you need?
There are a couple of things that you need to have in mind when measuring. installation space. The professionals behind 100percent.co.nz/laundry-cleaning, explain that you need to measure the intended installation space first. Make sure that you add in a centimeter or two for clearance on each side after you measure. One thing that people tend to overlook is depth, which is a problem because machines often vary.
Also, you should always consider how the door will open and will there be interference. Don’t forget to measure all the areas of access – the machine needs to get inside the designated room first.
The size doesn’t necessarily equal capacity
Don’t be fooled about the size of the entire machine. What you should particularly look for is the drum size. Some smaller machines might have bigger drums than large models since they are more compact.
In general, most of the drum sizes range from 5kg to around 16kg. This weight indicates the weight of laundry which it can wash on a standard cotton setting. If you aren’t sure about what to make of that measure, there are tricks that can help you. In general, one complete outfit is in most cases equal to somewhere around 1kg.
You should also keep in mind that washing machines are most efficient when carrying a full load. Having that in mind, make sure to look for capacity that’s equal to your needs. Larger is not always better. So, you should choose a high-capacity drum if you have a large household and vice versa.
What about different types?
Limited space is oftentimes a concern when it comes to buying a new appliance. So, if this happens to be your case, a front loader may better suit your needs. It’ll also cost less to run! Also, front-loaders tend to be gentler on clothes. The reason for this is that they work via a spinning drum instead of a pole-style agitator in the middle.
In case you do frequent, large washes, you should consider buying a top loader. This will be a more efficient option for you, but these machines are bulkier. You need to consider whether you have enough space.
Washer-dryers
In case you want to combine both appliance functions, a washer-dryer is a good choice. You should be careful about the capacity though! Quite often, the drying capacity happens to be lower than the washing capacity. This ultimately means that you may have to adjust the load according to the drying capacity.
Always consider the layout
Lastly, the layout of your home itself will give you some useful ques on the size that you should look for. Top loaders, for instance, are generally better suited to laundry rooms over kitchens. Contrary to that, front loaders can fit under a bench or above/below a dryer. This aspect makes them easier to blend into smaller places.
Don’t overlook the noise level
Everyone knows that washing machines tend to be noisy. The thing is, there are some quieter models out there, but they are pricier.
In the end, whether you should opt for such a model depends on where the machine is in the house. If it happens to be in a room where you spend a lot of time, you should consider the noise level.
So, if you want a quieter machine, be sure to check the decibels. You particularly want to look for anything below 50 decibels, as such machines are particularly quiet.
Water and energy efficiency
Is being better to the environment isn’t enough to convince you to think about efficiency? Well, you should also have in mind that better efficiency means that you’re saving money since your energy bills will be lower. Energy Star Rating on the model will tell you how efficient the model is.
Another way to conserve energy is to lower the heat at which you wash your clothes. So, washing clothes at 40 degrees instead of 60 degrees is going to ensure that you are conserving energy.
After reading this article, you are well equipped to make an informed choice on your next washing machine purchase. Make sure that you analyze all the essential parameters that we have mentioned before buying!
