Although automatic washing machines with vertical loads are not the leaders in demand among domestic buyers, they are in the range of every manufacturer and take their modest, but stable market share. The fact is that this technology has plenty of advantages.
IFR® top model of washing machines with vertical load: what model is more often bought in America?
Determined by the percentage of distribution in February 2012.
The leader of models on distribution on the shelves of American home appliances stores in FEBRUARY among washing machines with top loading is:
White freestanding washing machine up to 5kg,
With electronic control, wringing at 800 rpm,
with a partial leakage protection, without drying,
With dimensions WxHxV 40x60x85 cm, power consumption class A,
Washing efficiency class A, spin class D,
Power consumption 0.19 kWh/kg, with a water consumption of 52 l per wash.
Prices for this model range in America from 12 872 to 21 790 Dollars. The most frequently encountered price in America is 14 999 Dollars.
This model appeared on the shelves of America in June 2010.
Lots of room
The most important is the minimum width of the machines, only 40 cm! The standard depth is 60 cm, the height is also usually 85 cm. Figures may vary slightly, for example, Bosch machines have a slightly greater depth 62 cm and height 90 cm .
The dimensions of the verticals allow you to place them as compactly as possible, choosing a suitable place in the bathroom or kitchen.
All the more so because of the design the appliance can be attached to the wall with its sidewall, not only the back part, orienting it as you like, because you can load it both at the front and at the side.
True, in the kitchen, vertical machines are used less often than in the bathroom, they are not as effectively combined with the kitchen furniture as models with front loading. In addition, they can not be installed under the countertop, and built-in models do not exist.
Stand-alone are automatic machines with vertical loads, which belong to the activator type. They are designed for large houses, so the dimensions differ significantly, for example, Frigidaire FWS 1649ZAS and White-Westinghouse WWS1449ZAS width and depth of 69 cm and height of 111 cm.
To take on board
Loading vertical machines is close to modern standards – it is 6-7, less often 5 kg of laundry. For comparison: the machines with front loading 6 kg of clothes fits in devices with depth of 44-48 cm width of models usually 60 cm , and 7 kg loading is more often met at machines with depth of 54-55 cm.
A vertical activator type machines wash 10-11 kilograms of laundry at a time.
Europe will help us
The largest model ranges of vertical washing machines are represented by brands Whirlpool, Electrolux, Brandt, Candy, Zanussi, Ardo. At each manufacturer you can find about fifteen to twenty actual machines. A more modest range – up to 10 models – is represented by Gorenje, Bosch, Hotpoint-Ariston, Indesit, AEG, Miele, Mabe, Kaiser. The price ranges from 13,000 to 73,000 Dollars.
American brands, which have already been discussed, represent a piece product – literally 1-2 models. Among the brands already mentioned are Frigidaire, White-Westinghouse, Maytag. The appliance costs at least 40,000 Dollars.
As you can see, among the represented companies are no manufacturers of Asia, Turkey, and to the machines of this type are also indifferent to some European companies, such as Schulthess and Smeg.
Not in the proud solitude
For the vast majority of upright appliances, there are no paired dryers that can be installed together for a beautiful and logical package, as, say, front-loading machines do – similar design, control units, exact color match.
But here there is an exception – the overseas lounges, where a machine with a vertical loader comes with a dryer that matches it in all parameters. The dryer is tapered at the bottom to give easy access to the washer lid.
Their control unit can be common, located on the bottom of the dryer for example, Frigidaire MET 1041ZAS, 86 000 Dollars .
Dryer plus
There are very few vertical machines with a drying function. There are only four of them, and they are all made in the same factory: they are Brandt WTD 6084 SF, Brandt WTD 6384 K, Brandt WTD 6284 K, Mabe MWD1 T611. The price of such devices is 24,000-28,000 Dollars.
Under control
Vertical washing machines are equipped with a more compact control panel, which
This is due to their narrow width. The panel is often behind the door, on a slight elevation. Control elements are clearly visible due to its inclination. Less commonly, such as on Miele machines, the panel is placed forward and in front of the door.
A set of programs of vertical machines is standard – there are functions for cotton, synthetics, wool, fine fabrics, specialized programs can be provided. Therefore the set of modes often includes more than 10-14 programs, and to them the traditional set of options – “light ironing”, timer, memory, prewash, increased water level.
Quite often the control box looks unaccustomedly simple, offering a minimal set of programs. It is thanks to models with such a control unit that one gets the impression that the machines are arranged in a simpler way and therefore limit the hostess.
It is not. Many companies lay the widest possibilities for additional programming of existing modes by including options, thereby providing the same functionality. Machines with a small set of modes are represented in the collections of Bosch, Zanussi and Brandt.
Thriftiness is in its character
Washing machines in general have become more economical, as evidenced by the fact that the vast majority of models sold in our country have received the highest energy efficiency class A. Vertical machines are no exception. What’s much more interesting is that they were able to push that upper limit.
For example, three machines – the Whirlpool AWE 9630, the Electrolux EWT 136640 W and the Bosch Logixx 6 WOT 24552 OE – are up to 20% more economical than A-class appliances. There are over eighty class machines, which save 10% more electricity than the A-class models. Among them are often found the following brands: Electrolux, Brandt, AEG, Bosch, Candy, Ardo, Whirlpool, Mabe.
The eco function in the set of programs also helps to save money, with its help it is possible to reduce the consumption of resources even more. This program by selecting a lower temperature for example, 40 degrees achieves the same result of washing, as in hot water, by lengthening the cycle slightly.
For example, the Whirlpool Super-Eco program saves up to 30% of energy, and Aqua-Eco is more careful with water. The Gorenje, Bosch, Zanussi and Brandt have the “eco” programs eco-control .
Speeds, but not space speeds
Despite the fact that the spin in the vertical machine is structurally easier to perform the drum is attached not to one side, but to two , the peak speed 1800 and 2000 rpm , relevant at the moment, is not achieved here.
The highest speed can develop the drum of the washing machine AEG L 86560 TL – 1500 rpm, but it is currently not on sale. From the same models that are in the stores, the leaders are Brandt MAX 148 DSE and Hotpoint-Ariston ARTXF 149 with 1400 rpm.
One curious moment: the vertical machines use unusual numbers of speeds in increments of 100, so common figures are 1100, 1200 and 1300 rpm in front-loading machines, a step of 200 rpm is used .
The minimum spin speed of regular vertical machines is 600 rpm. The American Frigidaire is close to this record, it spins at 650 rpm, thanks to which it has spin class D. Only several appliances have a maximum spin class A, these are Brandt MAX 148 DSE, Hotpoint-Ariston ARTXF 149 and a new machine Candy Top, which is on sale now.
Free Parking
Access to the drum of vertical machines is provided by opening a special hatch on the side surface. To make this process as convenient as possible and it has disadvantages , all machines are equipped with two special functions. The first is the auto-parking: the position of the drum after stopping is such that the door is always under the door of the machine. It does not need to be finished by hand, but only open and take out the laundry.
The process of this very opening could bring some difficulties to housewives, because the latch should be reliable, so that the door will not open at an inopportune moment. In addition, it has to bear a heavy load when rotating the drum.
But women’s hands are not uncomfortable thanks to the use of a special function that ensures smooth and easy opening of the flaps. The function can have a brand name, such as Brandt’s Sesam or Gorenje’s Posistop.
They are so special
The vertical loading machines seem to be easier than their front-loading sisters, but this is not so. Innovative technologies are also used in this class of machines. So, the new AEG washing machine has a brushless inverter motor. It has a longer service life, at the same time it is much quieter and more accurate, which allows the appliance to be equipped with more precise washing programs.
In Hotpoint-Ariston an asynchronous motor is used, the main feature of which is reliability, simplicity of design, and in combination with acoustic panels and the new pump even a very low noise level.
Whirlpool uses a direct-drive motor, it is also quieter and more efficient. The design has made the motor more compact, reducing vibration and power consumption.
Another curious function is the use of steam in washing, which spreads the fibers of things, so they require less care after drying, and some items can be put on immediately. Among the vertical machines there are only two such models: one from the AEG collection is L 76260 TL, the other is Electrolux EWT 136551 W.
Mabe and Brandt models know how to determine the necessary amount of detergent based on the amount of laundry and automatically select it from the special tank inside the machine. The only “but” is that the detergent can be only one e.g. for light cotton and only in gel form.
Among the features are brand-specific techniques or technologies, such as Miele’s honeycomb drum, Asko’s six extra rinses, Electroluxe’s Time Manager, Whirlpool’s eco-ball full-powder system and Ardo’s Janus.
Non-pouring machine
The leakage protection system of a washing machine with a vertical load usually corresponds to the generally accepted brand. The most common option is protection on the body, this solution is typical for Candy, Hotpoint-Ariston, Gorenje, Ardo, most of the line Brandt .
The fact that it is used even by companies that traditionally provide full protection a prime example is Asko draws attention. There are not so many devices with full protection, about 20 models, among them are vertical machines AEG, Bosch, Whirlpool, Kaiser, Miele. The most expensive, more than 30 000 Dollars – Kaiser W 34210 NTLG.
Self-Diagnostic
Some of the modern machines are equipped with a self-diagnostic system, which in case of failure helps to quickly understand what is wrong.
Self-diagnosis is available only for machines with displays, it is the display in the form of a code it can then be identified by the table in the manual gives the necessary information, for example – the lack of water. Among the vertical machines, only Miele, Gorenje and Whirlpool have the self-diagnostic system.
When our citizens will be inclined to buy washing machines like those commonly found in Europe? Will factors like affordability, cultural preferences, or infrastructure availability pose challenges in adopting this cleaner and efficient laundry solution?
There are several factors that will influence when citizens will be inclined to buy washing machines commonly found in Europe. Affordability will play a significant role, as these machines can be more expensive upfront than traditional washboards or hand washing methods. Cultural preferences may also come into play, as some individuals may have a strong attachment to traditional methods of doing laundry. Additionally, the availability and accessibility of infrastructure, such as electricity and water supply, will impact the adoption of washing machines. Overall, while there may be challenges in adopting these cleaner and more efficient laundry solutions, as technology advances and becomes more affordable, it is likely that more citizens will transition to using washing machines in the future.